As Manchester City braces for a seismic shift following Pep Guardiola’s impending departure, the club’s recruitment machine is already whirring into action. In a move that has caught many off guard, the Premier League champions are reportedly plotting a summer swoop for Everton attacker Iliman Ndiaye, according to respected journalist Alan Nixon.
The Senegal international, who only joined the Toffees last summer, has emerged as a surprising but tantalizing option in City’s post-Guardiola rebuild. With the Etihad hierarchy preparing for a new era without the Catalan mastermind, the club’s scouting network has been widening its search for dynamic, versatile forwards who can adapt to a fresh tactical identity.
Ndiaye, 24, has impressed on Merseyside with his direct running, technical flair, and ability to operate across the front line. Despite Everton’s turbulent season, the former Marseille star has shown glimpses of the quality that made him one of Ligue 1’s most electric talents. Now, it seems City see him as a potential cornerstone for the future.
Alan Nixon’s report, first flagged by CaughtOffside, suggests the move is in its early stages but reflects City’s desire to inject youthful vigor and unpredictability into a squad that may lose key figures in the coming transfer windows. While Guardiola’s successor remains unconfirmed, the club’s transfer strategy appears to be targeting players who can thrive in a high-pressing, possession-heavy system—traits Ndiaye possesses in abundance.
For Everton, losing Ndiaye so soon would be a significant blow, especially given his growing influence at Goodison Park. However, a substantial offer from City could prove difficult to resist, particularly as the Toffees themselves face an uncertain summer. With the post-Guardiola era looming, Manchester City’s ambition remains undiminished—and Ndiaye could be the first piece of a bold new puzzle.