Manchester City are attempting to hijack Tottenham Hotspur's pursuit of Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye in the final hours of the transfer window. This development comes after City's approach for Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo was rejected, with the Reds valuing the player at £80 million.
Tottenham had been leading the race for Ndiaye's signature ahead of deadline day. The North London club had even proposed a deal that would see former Everton player Richarlison return to Goodison Park as part of the transaction. However, Manchester City have now entered the frame with a serious interest of their own.
Manchester City are considering including players in their bid to secure Iliman Ndiaye from Everton. Jack Grealish, who spent the previous season on loan at Everton, is one name being discussed as a potential makeweight in the deal. Another City player, Rico Lewis, is also in the conversation as part of a possible swap arrangement. This strategy follows City's completion of a £32 million deal for Palmeiras midfielder Allan earlier in the window.
The potential move for Grealish marks a significant shift. The England international may rejoin Everton, the club where he enjoyed a productive loan spell. City have already allowed both Savinho and Omar Marmoush to depart for Tottenham this summer, indicating a willingness to reshape their attacking options.
Liverpool's stance on Cody Gakpo has directly influenced this late transfer drama. The club issued a clear statement, saying "Gakpo will stay at Liverpool after the club rejected an approach from Man City for the winger." Manager Andoni Iraola wants four wingers in his squad, a plan solidified by the £106 million signing of Bradley Barcola on Monday.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk publicly backed the decision, stating "he wanted him to stay." Gakpo rewarded that faith by scoring the first goal of the Iraola era and setting up Alexander Isak's strike in a recent match against Nottingham Forest. Despite securing Barcola, Liverpool remain active, having bid for Brighton's Yankuba Minteh and contacting Crystal Palace about Ismaila Sarr.
For Tottenham Hotspur, this represents a frustrating twist in their transfer business. Having seemingly been in pole position for Ndiaye, they now face competition from the reigning champions. This comes as Spurs handle a difficult start to the 2026/27 Premier League season.
The club currently sits 20th in the table with zero points from two games, having lost both matches. Their goal difference stands at minus five, having conceded five times without scoring. This leaves them six points behind early leaders Manchester City. Their next opportunity to turn things around is an away fixture against Nottingham Forest, who are 15th, on September 5th. Fans can track the team's progress on our standings page and view the full schedule on our fixtures list.
The transfer deadline is Tuesday, September 1st, adding urgency to all negotiations. Manchester City's sudden interest in Iliman Ndiaye has thrown Tottenham's plans into doubt. While Spurs had structured a proposal around Richarlison, City's ability to offer players like Grealish or Lewis presents Everton with a different kind of deal.
This late maneuvering shows the unpredictable nature of deadline day. Tottenham Hotspur, aiming to bolster their squad after a challenging start, must now decide whether to increase their offer or shift focus. The club's recruitment team will be working right up to the 11pm deadline to strengthen a squad that has yet to find its footing this campaign.
Tottenham Hotspur travel to face Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday, September 5th.
