Liverpool thinking about surprising new option instead of Mohamed Salah while also chasing Bradley Barcola
Liverpool are reportedly thinking about going after Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye, but they face competition from Manchester United and Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal.
Since joining Everton, Andoni Iraola has welcomed new players Jeremy Jacquet and Víctor Muñoz, while Andrew Robertson, Ibrahima Konaté, and Mohamed Salah have all left. Liverpool are also linked with a potential £145 million move for French and Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola after missing out on top target Yan Diomande, who looks set to join Real Madrid soon.
According to a recent report by TeamTalk’s Graeme Bailey, Liverpool have noticed that Everton’s Senegal winger Ndiaye is available, even though Saudi club Al Hilal is very interested. Al Hilal has made Ndiaye a priority after signing former West Ham star Crysencio Summerville earlier this summer.
Manchester United is also watching closely, but Everton is in a strong position in talks since Ndiaye is under contract until 2029. Everton wants to offer him a new long-term deal, with manager David Moyes eager to keep the Senegal international as they aim for Europe in the 2026/27 season.
Liverpool likes Ndiaye’s Premier League experience and signing him would be the first time an Everton player has moved directly to Liverpool since Abel Xavier in 2002. Ndiaye earns a relatively modest salary of about £45,000 a week, putting him outside Everton’s top 10 highest-paid players.
Despite Liverpool’s interest, Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano says Al Hilal will hold direct talks with Ndiaye this week. In June, Ndiaye told SPORTbible’s Jack Kenmare: “You don’t know where football will take you next. I always want to be the best player and to do that, you have to play at the top level. I want to play Champions League football.”
He admitted he was disappointed with Everton’s 13th-place finish despite their push for Europa League qualification last season. Ndiaye said, “I don’t think I’ve played enough games. I went to AFCON but that’s not enough. I want to be playing in Europe, in the Champions League. I want to play in all of those games.”
Everton manager Moyes has made it clear he wants Ndiaye to stay. In June, he said: “He’s the last person I would consider selling. There are others I wouldn’t want to sell either. I don’t want to hear talk about it if it’s out there.
“I don’t think any club isn’t willing to sell their player for the right price, but I’m not saying he’s for sale. It’s just that if the price is right, you have to do something. But building teams is tough now, and fans want quick success managers aren’t always given. So why give up our best players?”
Everton will kick off their Premier League season against Crystal Palace at Hill Dickinson Stadium on August 22.