Tottenham Target Everton Star Ndiaye as Transfer Window Heats Up
Tottenham have muscled into the race for Everton star Ndiaye, turning an already lively transfer window into something far more combustible.
The North London club have blown past the £300 million mark in spending as Roberto De Zerbi tears up and rebuilds his squad, yet he still wants more. Specifically, one more wide attacker. One more weapon.
Omar Marmoush is in. Savio has arrived from Manchester City. But the Italian is not ticking “job done” just yet. Spurs had been circling Cody Gakpo, yet the spotlight has swung sharply onto Ndiaye, the Senegal international who has lit up Goodison Park and caught the eye of the league’s elite, according to Foot Mercato.
Now it’s a straight fight between three heavyweights: Tottenham, Manchester City and Arsenal. All three are tracking the 26-year-old, all three know this is a player who changes the dynamic of a forward line.
De Zerbi wants ‘one more’
De Zerbi did little to cool the speculation when he spoke on Friday, openly admitting Tottenham’s work in the market is not finished.
"I didn’t expect a transfer window like we have done. I think we can do one player more in one specific position," he said. "Yesterday we went to dinner with the owners, Johan [Lange, sporting director] and Vinai [Venkatesham, chief executive] and we spoke about this. All of us are on the same page and a very good connection."
That “one specific position” lines up neatly with Ndiaye’s profile. A high-end wide attacker, proven in the Premier League, still with room to grow. For a club already spending at record levels, it’s a clear signal: Tottenham are not easing off the accelerator.
From Saudi brink to Premier League tug-of-war
Ndiaye’s summer has already been a saga. At one stage he looked set for a lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League, with Al-Hilal reported to be on the verge of sealing a deal. Then came the twist. The move collapsed after a late change of heart from the player.
His decision to stay in England has transformed his market. Manchester City view him as a potential answer to their own attacking departures. Arsenal have kept tabs. Now Spurs are on the scene, armed with cash and an aggressive rebuild plan.
The interest keeps stacking up. So does Everton’s resolve.
Everton dig in over £80m price tag
Everton hold the strongest card of all: the contract. Ndiaye is tied down on Merseyside until the summer of 2029. He has already turned down a new deal, but that refusal does not weaken the Toffees’ negotiating stance in the short term.
The club have slapped an £80 million valuation on their prized asset, a figure designed to flush out only the most serious bidders and scare off opportunists. They are under no immediate pressure to sell and have made it clear he will not leave on the cheap.
Manager David Moyes underlined that point when asked about the growing noise around his forward.
"We’re certainly not in a hurry to sell our best players, that’s for sure," he said on Friday. "As far as I know, we’ve got nothing to be concerned about, we’ve had no contact from any club. Somebody told me we had contact with Al-Hilal during the summer, we had nothing from them."
No contact, no bids, no rush. At least publicly.
A test of ambition
So the stage is set. Tottenham want one more attacker. Manchester City are lurking with a clear need in their squad. Arsenal are in the background, watching the numbers.
Everton, meanwhile, are holding firm at £80m, fully aware that in a market this inflated, a player under contract until 2029 is a powerful bargaining chip.
If someone blinks before the deadline, it will not just be a transfer. It will be a statement about where they intend to sit in the Premier League hierarchy this season.
