Everton will clear all their financial problems with '£90m' Iliman Ndiaye deal

Iliman Ndiaye's exit will be a loss to both Everton and the Premier League if he completes a move to Al Hilal this summer.

That is the opinion of former senior Everton scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.

Talks are ongoing over the 26-year-old's potential exit, with the Toffees said to be demanding over £80million including bonuses.

Sources have told Football Insider that Ndiaye has agreed personal terms with Al Hilal, having turned down a extension on his Everton contract due to expire in 2029.

The Senegal international has been linked to several Premier League clubs in the last year, including Arsenal, Aston Villa and Manchester United.

It is unlikely that any European side will be able to match the transfer fee or the wages offered by the Saudi Pro League, however, with Crysencio Summerville taking the same path despite similar links.

Everton to lose 'star of their team'

Everton paid a fee in the region of just £17m when they bought Ndiaye from Marseille in 2024.

Should they sell him for £80m this summer, they will have nearly quintupled their money for a return of 17 goals across 71 appearances.

It is hard to argue against accepting that kind of fee when it is put in those terms, but there is no doubt that Everton will be losing a key part of their attack.

For all of Ndiaye's faults last season, he was constantly a driving force for the Toffees and always capable of magic that is not obvious elsewhere in the team.

"This would be a big loss to Everton, it'd be a big loss to the Premier League," King told Football Insider.

"I'd have liked to see him go to Villa or the Arsenal if he is going to go, if I was Everton, I wouldn't get rid of him. He's the star of their team.

"I'd make sure that it'd be very difficult for him to go. Well, if they get £90m for him, it would probably put the PSR straight, wouldn't it?"

How do Everton replace Iliman Ndiaye?

Ndiaye's exit would immediately present opportunities to both Tyrique George and Tyler Dibling on the wings.

Both young players arrived last season, with the latter especially, finding opportunities sometimes hard to come by.

Everton would undoubtedly need to strengthen as well, however, with Jack Grealish's return to Hill Dickinson Stadium likely guaranteed by Ndiaye's exit.

The Toffees would still lack that pace and take-on ability that the winger offers, however, and the market would likely be turned to once more.