Everton have found themselves in a familiar position again. They are trying to protect one of their most influential players from the lure of bigger clubs. The Toffees’ revival under David Moyes has drawn admiration across the league. Much of that progress comes from the energy and creativity of Iliman Ndiaye.
Since he arrived from Marseille, he has become a key figure in Everton’s attack. The 25-year-old winger brings flair on the pitch with tireless effort. He returned to English football after a mixed spell in France and turned it into a redemption story that keeps unfolding every week.
Everton are confident that they will be able to retain Iliman Ndiaye
Former Manchester United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown believes that Everton will not sell Ndiaye anytime soon. Brown, who followed Ndiaye closely during his Sheffield United days, said that the forward has matured since his early inconsistent spells. He added that while top clubs now watch him, Everton recognise his importance to their system.
Brown explained that under Ndiaye, thrives in a setup that relies on hard work. He might not find that at Arsenal or Manchester City. This mix of structure and freedom brings out his best form, and Everton intend to protect it.
“I saw a lot of Ndiaye when he was at Sheffield United. At that time, he was the sort of player who would drift in and out of a game, give you an amazing 20 minutes and then you don’t see him for the other 70. Then he went to Marseille, and Everton took a chance on bringing him back to England. They’ve been rewarded with the fact that he’s stepped up his performances and been better for them than a lot of people would have expected.
The problem with that is, it starts attracting interest from some of the top clubs. All of them will be looking at players like Ndiaye who are performing to a high level for the likes of Everton, or somebody like Crystal Palace, Bournemouth etc. But as far as Everton are concerned, I don’t expect they’ll be willing to let Ndiaye go any time soon.
He’s so important for them, and I think he suits the way they play under Moyes because he gets to show what he can do with workers and runners around him. That’s not something he would get at an Arsenal or a Man City, so I think Everton will be confident they can convince him to stay as an important player for them.”
Interestingly, we reported earlier that Everton are making a concrete plan to sign Ivan Toney. This shows they want to strengthen instead of rebuild. It signals a club shifting its focus from survival to ambition. Players like Ndiaye reflect the progress Moyes builds with patience and belief.
Why Everton Must Keep Iliman Ndiaye?
Letting Ndiaye leave now would damage Everton’s future. Since he joined in July 2024, he has strengthened their forward line with creativity, sharp dribbling, and a competitive edge that unsettles defenders. The Senegal winger scored nine goals in his first Premier League season, showing consistency and growth. His real strength lies in his unpredictability. Few players can ignite an attack and defend with the same intensity.
He wrote his name into history by scoring the last goal at Goodison Park and the first at the new Hill Dickinson Stadium. That moment marked a symbolic passing of eras. Ndiyae’s contract runs until 2029, giving Everton control of his future, but they must match his ambitions. Clubs such as Inter Milan now chase him, which proves his growing value. Still, the Toffees need him to maintain both stability and momentum.
Ndiaye is entering his prime, and Everton cannot start another rebuild. Everton are also growing optimistic about signing Jack Grealish in the summer of 2026. That move could complement Ndiaye perfectly. If the club matches ambition with loyalty, they can build around him instead of replacing him. Keeping Ndiaye shows strength, vision, and belief in their future.
