According to reports, Manchester United and Aston Villa are set to join a number of Europe's biggest clubs in the race for Everton star Iliman Ndiaye.
Ndiaye, 26, has been a stand-out performer for Everton since his £20m move from Marseille in 2024. despite only scoring 17 goals and registering three assists in his 71 appearances for the Toffees.
Reports earlier in the summer suggested that talks between the Senegal international and Everton over a new contract had stalled, with Ndiaye wanting to add a relatively low release clause into the deal.
As a result, speculation over his future has been rife, with a number of clubs across the Premier League and Europe attentive to the situation.
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano via his Youtube channel, Manchester United and Aston Villa have both explored a potential transfer with Everton.
He said: “Another player appreciated by Man Utd is Iliman Ndiaye at Everton, but Man Utd are not proceeding or progressing because of the Rashford situation."
“For Ndiaye, many clubs have been calling. Man Utd, clubs from abroad, a few weeks ago Aston Villa had some conversations."
“But for Ndiaye it’s important to say he’ll be really expensive, he’s a really important player, for Everton he’s a crucial, crucial player" he continued.
With Rashford's future looking more likely to be at Old Trafford by the day, Romano's comments suggest that a move for Ndiaye may be off the table for now, though it could still be one to keep an eye on as the window drags on.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa are in search of a replacement for Morgan Rogers - who is set to join Chelsea for £117m - and have been linked with a number of left wingers, including PSG's Ibrahim Mbaye, Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho and West Ham's Crysencio Summerville.
While there's no doubt that Ndiaye would be a welcome edition to both clubs, Everton - who want to keep hold of their best players - are unlikely to make life easy for any prospective buyer this summer.
