Tottenham Agree to Sign Iliman Ndiaye as Richarlison Returns to Everton
- Tottenham Hotspur have reached an agreement in principle to sign Iliman Ndiaye from Everton, with Richarlison heading back to the Merseyside club in separate transfers according to reports...
- The Athletic reported that Manchester City had shown interest in Ndiaye earlier in the summer, with Everton initially keen on a deal that would secure a return for...
- Richarlison is returning to Everton four years after departing Goodison Park for Tottenham in a deal worth up to £60 million.
Tottenham Hotspur have reached an agreement in principle to sign Iliman Ndiaye from Everton, with Richarlison heading back to the Merseyside club in separate transfers according to reports from The Athletic. Sources at both clubs, speaking anonymously because they lacked public authorization, confirmed that the moves for the 26-year-old Everton attacker and the 29-year-old Tottenham forward are not linked, though both deals remain subject to personal terms and medical examinations.
Transfer Negotiations and Separate Club Deals
The Athletic reported that Manchester City had shown interest in Ndiaye earlier in the summer, with Everton initially keen on a deal that would secure a return for Jack Grealish, who spent the previous season on loan at Hill Dickinson Stadium. City shifted their focus to talks for Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo, after the Netherlands international expressed a desire to join Enzo Maresca’s side. Tottenham had also pursued Gakpo to strengthen their forward line, but the 27-year-old opted against a move to north London in favor of Manchester City, according to The Athletic. Ndiaye declined multiple new contract offers last season while holding three years remaining on his existing Everton terms. Club sources maintained that Ndiaye behaved professionally throughout the summer window, starting Everton’s first three matches of the season and recording an assist in a 2-0 win against Crystal Palace. Ndiaye arrived at Everton from Marseille in 2024 for a fee of £15 million, scoring 17 goals and providing four assists across 73 games for the club.
Richarlison Departs Tottenham After Injury-Hit Spell
Richarlison is returning to Everton four years after departing Goodison Park for Tottenham in a deal worth up to £60 million. The Brazilian forward scored 32 goals in 134 appearances for Tottenham, following a previous record of 53 goals in 152 games for Everton. Last term, Richarlison finished as Tottenham’s top Premier League goalscorer with 11 goals and started the opening-day defeat at Brentford. Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi stated after a 2-0 loss against Newcastle United that Richarlison was omitted from the matchday squad because he asked to leave in the final days of the transfer window. Richarlison spent four seasons at Goodison Park between 2018 and 2022 before his move to north London.
Squad Overhaul and Manager Context
According to analysis from Tottenham correspondent Jay Harris, Ndiaye’s arrival completes an extensive attacking overhaul for Spurs under Roberto De Zerbi. Mathys Tel has operated as Tottenham’s primary left winger under De Zerbi, scoring seven goals in 61 appearances since joining from Bayern Munich in January 2025. Tel competed with France Under-21 teammate Wilson Odobert at the start of last season, before Odobert suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in February. Ndiaye is positioned to join a replenished Tottenham forward line that includes Dominic Solanke and Mohammed Kudus, both recently returning from injury, alongside fellow new signings Omar Marmoush and Savio. Everton chief executive Angus Kinnear previously indicated during an interview that the club might need to sell players to operate within financial constraints, paving the way for Ndiaye’s departure alongside his rejection of new contract terms.