Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Iliman Ndiaye this summer, although Everton's purported £75 million valuation could deter the North London club from making a move, according to CaughtOffside.
Roberto De Zebi has been rampant in his first transfer window as Spurs boss so far, spending around £235 million on several reinforcements. Sandro Tonali was acquired for £100 million, while Mateus Fernandes arrived for £85 million and Jan Paul van Hecke joined for £52 million.
Martin Dubravka, Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi have also been added to the Italian's squad on free transfers.
Attention now turns to strengthening the attacking areas of Tottenham's ensemble, with a striker and a wide player both on the agenda.
Ndiaye is a target for the Lilywhites, although Everton's steep valuation and competition from a number of other clubs could make a potential deal for the Senegalese difficult.
Tottenham Monitoring Iliman Ndiaye's Situation
Ndiaye has enjoyed two relatively productive seasons at Everton since completing his switch from Marseille to Merseyside in the summer of 2024. Netting eleven goals in his debut campaign in the north-west, he then followed that up with six goals and three assists last term.
This form has prompted several clubs to take a look at the 'hugely exciting' 26-year-old, including the likes of Spurs, Manchester United, Arsenal and Al-Hilal.
CaughtOffside indicate that Al-Hilal are currently best placed to land Ndiaye's signature due to the financial package Everton are said to be demanding for one of their prized assets.
The Toffees reportedly want around £75 million for the former Sheffield United man - a sum the Saudi club would be comfortable meeting, but a figure Tottenham may deem excessive.
United are said to be the Premier League side most aggressively pursuing Ndiaye, with Spurs' interest believed to be at a very preliminary stage for the time being.
Iliman Ndiaye Would Be an Astute Xavi Simons Replacement For Tottenham
It seems clear that De Zerbi is planning on using a mix of Conor Gallagher and James Maddison as his number ten options next season, in front of the newly-formed double pivot consisting of Fernandes and Tonali.
That likely means that Xavi Simons is pencilled in for a spot off the left once he returns, rather than a central role. The Dutchman sustained an ACL injury towards the back end of last season and will miss the majority of the upcoming campaign.
Thus, Spurs need a similar profile to Simons on this flank for the time being, and Ndiaye fits the bill. The Everton star is a creative wide forward, a prolific dribbler and excellent at operating in the left-half spaces, just like the former RB Leipzig man.
If Spurs can leapfrog the likes of United and Al-Hilal in the race to sign Ndiaye, they ought to do it.