Tottenham Hotspur is reportedly targeting Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye as a key transfer target, a move that would see him potentially bolster Roberto De Zerbi's revamped front line. The pursuit of Ndiaye comes after Tottenham's unsuccessful attempt to sign Cody Gakpo. Manchester City has also expressed interest in the player, setting up a potential bidding war as the transfer deadline approaches.
Ndiaye, 26, is considered to be in his prime and has demonstrated his capabilities in the Premier League. Born in France but a Senegal international, he may also qualify as a homegrown player for squad registration purposes. His natural talent and technical ability on the ball are highly regarded, with his dribbling style attributed to childhood drills performed to music.
Jack Lester, former head of player development at Sheffield United, described Ndiaye as "outrageously gifted," noting his upper-body movements that allow him to bypass defenders. Lester also highlighted Ndiaye's positive attitude, courage, and work ethic, calling him "fearless" and "tough on the ball."
However, questions have been raised regarding Ndiaye's consistent ability to influence games and maintain the tactical discipline required at top Premier League clubs. He has reportedly worked to improve these aspects of his game since his early days at Sheffield United. His two years at Everton have further developed him into a Premier League-caliber player, and a move to Tottenham would present a significant challenge, pushing him to compete for a starting position and adapt to the pressure of a high-profile transfer.
De Zerbi, known for his connection with creative players, also emphasizes the importance of goals and assists. He has previously set targets for wingers to achieve 10-12 goals per season, a benchmark Ndiaye has met only once in his career. During his first season at Everton, he scored 11 goals in 37 appearances across all competitions, with nine in the Premier League. His subsequent season yielded only six goals, and he scored four in 46 games for Marseille before his £17 million transfer to Everton in 2024.
Tottenham appears to favor Ndiaye for a left-sided attacking role, where Son Heung-min has been a prominent figure and Mathys Tel's impact has yet to be fully realized. While Ndiaye is versatile and can play on either flank or as an attacking midfielder, Spurs would need him on the left. Other attacking options, such as Savio, Mohammed Kudus, and Dejan Kulusevski, are more comfortable on the right flank. Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons, who could play on the left or as an attacking midfielder respectively, are currently recovering from serious knee injuries and are not expected back until the following year.
If a deal for Ndiaye is completed, it could lead to a new-look forward line for Tottenham, potentially featuring Ndiaye and Savio on the wings with Omar Marmoush as the central striker. Marmoush started ahead of Dominic Solanke in a recent match against Newcastle, but flexibility in the attacking positions will be crucial for Tottenham as they refine their strategy. De Zerbi, who has favored a 4-2-3-1 formation since taking charge in April, values players who can operate in multiple roles.
The potential arrival of Ndiaye also raises questions about the role of an attacking midfielder. While players like James Maddison and Kudus might contend for the No. 10 position, Tottenham has also utilized midfielders like Conor Gallagher and Mateus Fernandes in that role this season. De Zerbi's immediate focus may remain on defensive stability and establishing a consistent rhythm before prioritizing greater attacking creativity, especially given the evolving role of playmakers in the Premier League.