Iliman Ndiaye is 'Everton's best player'and this is why 'everybody's talking about him' - insider

Iliman Ndiaye is Everton's best player and a crucial cog in their system that cannot be allowed to leave this summer.

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

The 26-year-old is attracting interest ahead of this summer, with Arsenal and Manchester United among those previously linked.

Ndiaye is under contract at Everton until 2029, but has reportedly rejected multiple attempts to agree an extension.

The winger, who scored six Premier League goals last season, was reportedly the subject of a rejected £40million bid from Inter Milan last summer.

It is though that Everton would want far more than that to sanction an exit for Ndiaye this summer, with further talks likely planned for after Senegal's exit from the World Cup.

Bryan King hails 'talented' Iliman Ndiaye

Everton signed Ndiaye in a deal worth around £17m from Marseille in 2024, after he had struggled in Ligue 1.

The 26-year-old has enjoyed an uncommon path to the top, playing non-league football at the age of 20.

Eventually, his talent shone through and he found himself starring in the Championship with Sheffield United, scoring 14 goals and providing 10 assists in the 2022-23 season.

Now in the Premier League, Ndiaye has continued to impress, scoring nine league goals in his debut season with Everton before netting six in this campaign.

"The best player at Everton at the moment is the boy who plays No.10, Ndiaye," King told Football Insider.

"He's their best player. I'm surprised they [Senegal] never used him against Norway. He's a very, very good player. 

"And, again, a player that they brought in for relatively decent money. Now everybody's talking about him, and he's a very talented player."

Ndiaye's latest comments on Everton future are worrying

Everton will be confident that, for as long as Ndiaye does not push for a move, they can keep hold of him.

For at least one more year, with next summer set to be decision time on the 26-year-old.

There is no guarantee that Ndiaye is willing to stay put for another year, however, and his recent comments may suggest otherwise.

"You don’t know where football will take you next,” he told SportBible last week. "I want to be the best player and to do that you have to play at the top.

"I want to be playing at the top level, playing Champions League football.”