Manchester City hijack Spurs’ move for Iliman Ndiaye and open talks for Enzo Fernández
Manchester City have intercepted Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye, agreeing a fee worth up to £65m and arranging for the player to undergo a medical, and have also opened discussions with Chelsea over midfielder Enzo Fernández ahead of the transfer window deadline on Tuesday night.
City’s agreement with Everton is structured as £60m up front plus £5m in add-ons; Everton now face limited time to identify a replacement before the window shuts. The move came after Spurs had reportedly reached a deal in principle with Everton on Sunday; a linked swap involving Richarlison stalled on Monday after the Brazilian released an emotional statement on social media and said that he would not allow his future to be decided for him, leaving Richarlison cold on a move to Everton and currently expected to remain at Spurs.
Manchester City had registered interest in Ndiaye last week and accelerated their approach after Liverpool withdrew from an £85m proposal for Cody Gakpo. That development prompted City to pivot to Ndiaye as they seek attacking reinforcements before the deadline.
Tottenham, having lost Ndiaye as a target, have moved on to alternative attacking options and are reportedly on the verge of securing Mykhailo Mudryk on loan from Chelsea. Mudryk, who is free to play again after his doping ban was resolved earlier this summer, previously played under Roberto De Zerbi at Shakhtar Donetsk and is said to favour a reunion with Spurs’ manager; Leeds United and Brentford have also contacted Chelsea about the Ukraine winger.
Chelsea have been contacted by City about Enzo Fernández, with the Argentina midfielder understood to want to leave and to have his heart set on a move to City. Fernández is reported to have a close relationship with City’s manager, Enzo Maresca, who left Chelsea earlier this year; Chelsea set a price of £120m for Fernández earlier this summer and may press for a higher fee as the deadline approaches.
As they prepare for the possible departure of Fernández, Chelsea have sounded out potential replacements, making approaches regarding Roma’s Manu Koné and Monaco’s Lamine Camara. The club are also tracking Morgan Gibbs-White, though they recognise that Nottingham Forest are unlikely to sell at this stage.
Chelsea are facing a busy end to the window as they juggle incoming and outgoing business. Goalkeeper Robert Sánchez is poised to leave Chelsea as he nears a loan move to Como after losing the No 1 shirt following Emiliano Martínez’s arrival.
Ndiaye is expected to undergo a medical imminently, with Everton under pressure to source a replacement before the transfer window closes on Tuesday night; City’s parallel enquiries over Fernández leave Chelsea negotiating possible selling and buying options as the deadline draws near.