Everton ‘want to sign the next Iliman Ndiaye’ after David Moyes green light
Everton are looking to sign similar talents to Iliman Ndiaye in the summer to add more freedom and creativity to David Moyes’ squad.
That is according to former Man United, Sunderland and West Ham scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 24-year-old has been a revelation since his arrival at Goodison Park.
Moyes, meanwhile, is thought to be spearheading the club’s transfer plans for the summer after seeing a rapid turnaround in results since his arrival.
Ndiaye has become a crucial part of his side in recent weeks, having scored three in three games prior to the Merseyside derby.
Everton were dealt a huge blow when the Senegal international suffered a medial ligament injury during the 2-2 draw with Liverpool amid concerns he could miss the rest of the season.
Brown explained that there are a number of hard-working players in the squad, but they are limited in terms of creative and dynamic options.
As a result, they will turn to the transfer market in the summer to add alternatives to Ndiaye and give the squad more energy and electricity in the attacking third.
Everton plot move to sign attacker after Iliman Ndiaye injury
Now, the former scout who worked closely alongside Moyes during his time at West Ham and has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment, has insisted the boss is looking to add another creative spark to his squad.
“They’re doing really, really well under Moyes,” he told Football Insider.
“He’s alleviated some of the pressure on the club and given them a bit more stability.
“But it doesn’t change the makeup of the team, Everton are still what Everton are.
“They need to add some quality to their team, but they’ve done brilliantly with what they’ve got.
“Ndiaye, when he played at Sheffield United, there were concerns that he’d perform for 10-15 minutes and then disappear for the rest of the game.
“The end product didn’t support the type of player he was.
“Eventually, he ends up at Everton after moving abroad, and all of a sudden he’s really performing.
“He gives Everton something they haven’t got – a bit of craft, skill and creativity going forward.
“They’ve got plenty of senior players who are reliable front-line soldiers and they’re going to put in a shift, but they don’t have anybody like Ndiaye.
“Now he’s picked up an injury and we’ll see how much of an impact that has.
“But I think they’re going to look in the transfer market in the summer to find players like that, like Ndiaye, who give them that added spark.
“It would really help strengthen and add to their squad if that’s something they could get done, and I think Moysey will want that sort of player in his side.”
Rayan Cherki backed to leave Lyon after latest Goodison twist
With creative players at the forefront of Everton’s transfer plans, one name who has kept popping up in recent weeks in Lyon forward Rayan Cherki.
The 21-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Goodison Park in January, but eventually remained at Lyon despite the growing expectation that he would leave.
So far this season, Cherki has scored four goals and provided seven assists in 18 Ligue Un fixtures and continues to prove himself as a bright young talent despite off-field concerns.
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