Everton's Stance on Iliman Ndiaye Amid Manchester United Interest

Manchester United have identified Iliman Ndiaye as a summer target. Everton’s response is to slam the door and bolt it.

The forward’s contract stand-off at Goodison Park has alerted several of the Premier League’s heavyweights, with United and Liverpool both tracking the 26-year-old. But Everton’s stance is blunt: if anyone wants to test their resolve, it will cost around £69 million.

United reload under Carrick

With Michael Carrick now confirmed as permanent manager after steering United into next season’s Champions League, the club is moving quickly to reshape his squad.

Midfield is the first piece of business. Ederson is poised to arrive from Atalanta, a signing designed to give Carrick more control and legs in the centre of the pitch. Yet United’s recruitment drive does not stop there. The forward line is under review as the club prepares for the grind of competing on several fronts.

A move for Brentford striker Igor Thiago is being worked on. At the same time, Ndiaye has emerged as a serious option, valued for his ability to play across the front line and to attack from either flank.

Ndiaye’s leverage and Everton’s problem

Ndiaye joined Everton from Marseille in 2024 for just £15m, a fee that already looks like sharp business. In his first full season under David Moyes, he spent most of his time on the right wing, but he also featured 11 times from the left. Across the campaign he produced six goals and three assists, numbers that only tell part of the story of his importance to Moyes’ system.

The complication for Everton is his contract. Ndiaye, currently preparing with Senegal for the World Cup, has rejected multiple offers over the past 12 months. He has three years left on his deal, but he is refusing to sign a new one unless it includes an exit clause.

That impasse has opened a crack in the door for United and Liverpool, both in the market for a left-sided attacker. Everton are determined to slam it shut.

According to The Athletic, the club will place a “prohibitive valuation” on Ndiaye, setting the bar at around £69m (€80m / $92.7m) before they even consider a sale. Internally, they point to Anthony Gordon’s £70m move from Newcastle United to Barcelona as the benchmark. If Gordon commands that fee, they argue, then Ndiaye’s price must be in the same bracket.

The message is clear: serious money or no conversation.

Moyes draws a line

Behind the numbers sits Moyes, who has been unwavering in his public stance. Everton may have to sell this summer to balance the books and fund reinforcements, but Ndiaye is the one player he has ringfenced.

Speaking in April, the Scot did not hide his feelings.

“He is the last person I would consider selling,” Moyes said. “There are others as well [that I wouldn’t want to sell], but my point is I have no interest in hearing the talk if there is talk out there.

“But it is getting too hard to build teams and also supporters are looking for a quick return, which managers are not getting. So why would we be giving up their better players?”

For a manager trying to build something durable, Ndiaye is non‑negotiable. Everton want to extend his stay on improved terms, tie him down for longer, and build the attack around him rather than cash in.

United’s dilemma

For United, the equation is more complex. Carrick wants a left-sided attacker who can drift inside, link play, and press aggressively. Ndiaye fits that profile and offers the added bonus of being comfortable on the right. At 26, he is entering his peak years and has already shown he can adapt quickly to the Premier League.

But a £69m fee for a player signed for £15m only a year ago is a different kind of test. United have other wide options on their list, and Everton are banking on that competition in the market pushing suitors elsewhere.

The pressure around Ndiaye will not ease while his contract remains unresolved. For now, though, Everton have drawn their line in the sand, and Moyes has nailed his colours to the mast.

If United want to prise him away, they will have to decide whether he is the winger to justify a Gordon-level fee – or whether their new era under Carrick will be built around a different kind of gamble.