Everton will accept '£70m' Iliman Ndiaye offer - Keith Wyness

Everton will find it “hard to refuse” an offer in the region of £70-£80million for star winger Iliman Ndiaye this summer. 

That is according to former Toffees chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that his former club are fighting a losing battle when it comes to keeping hold of the 26-year-old.

Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal have identified the Senegal international as a clear target, and are hoping to progress towards a deal with direct talks planned this week.

Wyness believes that Everton’s “gamble” in signing Ndiaye from Marseille has paid off massively, and feels that they will land at least £70m for him from Al Hilal.

Ndiaye has three years remaining on his contract at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, meaning Everton currently have the security to be able to hold out for their valuation to be met in full. 

The wideman was a central figure in David Moyes’ rebuild last term, as he notched six goals and three assists to help propel the team into the fight for European football. 

Resistance to Iliman Ndiaye sale may prove futile

Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that resistance from his former club may prove to be futile when it comes to keeping hold of Ndiaye.

He made it clear that he feels it is almost inevitable that Al Hilal get their move for him over the line, such is the financial power that they possess.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness outlined why the Toffees will be satisfied if they can get £80m coming into their coffers.

“It looks like Al Hilal are going to get their man, and I think Everton will get a good price. We're still somewhere between the £70m to £80m mark for him to leave, it will get done” he said.

“I think Everton would find it very hard to refuse because they’ll have made a very decent return on him. Don't forget they basically took a gamble on him when they took him from Marseille, and it's worked.

“He's actually held some milestones in terms of the new stadium; I think he was the first scorer and a few things like that, and he's very well liked and well loved by the Everton fans.

“But with Ndiaye going, personally I'm sad, but I understand it, and I think Everton will get a very decent profit on that transaction.”

Ndiaye ‘wants’ to leave Everton

Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on Monday that Ndiaye “wants” to make the move to Saudi Arabia, after his agent his engaged in talks with a series of clubs. 

The ex-recruitment man believes that the “huge” wages that are on offer for the player will be enough to tempt him away from Merseyside in the coming weeks. 

Brown made it clear that he has always been “concerned” that Ndiaye would use Everton as a “stepping stone,” rather than committing to their project for a prolonged period. 

However, with his exit now appearing increasingly likely, the club are at least in line to receive a huge transfer fee.