Sheffield United forward Iliman Ndiaye has turned down a move to Everton after the Premier League strugglers offered to stump up £20 million, according to L’Equipe.
Paul Heckingbottom’s cut-throat Blades are, in some ways, a Championship club in name only right now. Yes, there are still 16 games remaining in the 2022/23 season. But Sheffield United have already opened up a 13-point lead on third place Watford, automatic promotion seemingly a case of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’.
So, if Ndiaye wants to play Premier League football, he need only wait a few more months.
Sheffield United’s high-flying status may be a key factor in the silky Senegal international rebuffing Everton’s advances; L’Equipe reporting that the Toffees have submitted a £20 million bid.
Everton are level on points with Southampton at the bottom of the Premier League. You could certainly argue that Sheffield United are more likely to be gracing the top-flight next season than Everton are at this stage. Even if the potential appointment of Sean Dyche should give the Toffees’ survival hopes a timely boost.
Everton turn to Sheffield United’s Iliman Ndiaye as Anthony Gordon eyes exit
While Ndiaye’s short-term future looks settled, you cannot say the same of his long-term future. The 22-year-old will be a free-agent in 2024. Sheffield United have not yet tied their prized asset down to a new deal.
The Star, at least, say that there remains a confidence behind the scenes at Bramall Lane that neither Ndiaye nor his representatives will push for a move while Sheffield United are so well positioned in the Championship.
One of the EFL’s most exciting young attackers, Ndiaye has 10 goals and eight assists this season.
“It has been some journey,” Sheffield United team-mate Oli McBurnie says of a forward who was plying for Hyde United in the Northern Premier Division as recently a 2020 (Yorkshire Live). “I couldn’t be happier for him.
“He knows how good he is, we know how good he is. He plays football like he’s playing 5-a-side on the streets with his mates. We used to see him in training and think; ‘this guy is ridiculous, but what’s he like in a game’?
“Then he started playing, and he’s arguably one of the best players in the division.”
Arguably most effective as a ‘second-striker’; Ndiaye appears to be one of the names in the frame to replace Anthony Gordon at Everton. According to The Chronicle, Gordon has told the Toffees he wants to seal a potential £40 million to Newcastle United.
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