Man United 'frontrunners' to sign £70m Everton star amid interest from Spurs, Chelsea and Arsenal
Man United are reportedly interested in signing an Everton player in the summer transfer window.
Man United are likely to make a splash in the summer transfer window, as they enter a new era, whether that be with Michael Carrick at the helm or one of their key managerial targets to become Ruben Amorim’s permanent replacement.
The Red Devils are in a chase for Champions League football currently, and come off a 1-1 draw against West Ham, which left them fourth in the Premier League table, five points off Aston Villa in third place.
Holding midfielder seems to be a priority for United, as they have been linked to Sandro Tonali, but they will also need to sign a long-term replacement for Bruno Fernandes, with the United captain set to leave the club in June 2027, when his contract expires.
Man United are the ‘frontrunners’ for Iliman Ndiaye
Everton attacker Iliman Ndiaye has been linked with a move to Old Trafford, as the Senegalese star would be the perfect replacement for Fernandes in the long-term. This season, he has impressed under David Moyes, scoring five goals and providing two assists in 20 appearances.
It is understood that the Red Devils are keen on Ndiaye, and according to a report by TeamTalk, they are the frontrunners to sign the midfielder, who Everton are expected to slap a £70m asking price on.
Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham are also named as interested in Ndiaye, but Man United seem to be in pole position to sign him as things stand, which would be a major coup for those at Old Trafford. He has been at Everton for the last two years, after joining from French side Marseille in 2024.
Ndiaye has hinted at his desire to join United too, as he was asked about the transfer speculation, to which he replied: “If clubs like Manchester United are interested, it means I’m doing something right.”
Could Fernandes leave in the summer?
Bruno Fernandes’ future remains very uncertain, especially considering how close he was to leaving Manchester United last summer after the £100m bid from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal. He wanted to stay at the club at the time, but has since spoken saying he was hurt as United were very open to selling him.
The Portuguese midfielder has been simply exceptional again this season for United, scoring six goals, and providing 12 assists. He has a shot at breaking the Premier League assist record, which stands at 20, hit by both Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.
It is understood that Man United are planning to hold talks with Fernandes over his next deal, as they would like to keep him heading into the managerial change in the summer. It is not clear yet what the player himself would want to do, but considering that Fernandes is 31 now, he may not want to commit his long-term future to the club.