Manchester City have reached an agreement with Everton to sign Iliman Ndiaye in a transfer worth up to £65m.
The Premier League champions will pay an initial £60m for the 26-year-old Senegal international, with another £5m potentially due through performance-related add-ons.
City moved quickly for Ndiaye after Tottenham’s attempt to sign the winger stalled over a separate proposed deal involving Richarlison.
Tottenham had reached terms with Everton for Ndiaye on Friday, while Everton were simultaneously working on bringing Richarlison back to the club. The Merseyside side were prepared to pay around £35m for the Brazilian forward.
However, Richarlison was unable to settle personal terms with Everton, leaving Tottenham without the conditions needed to complete their move for Ndiaye.
The Brazil international later addressed the situation publicly, making clear that he wanted greater control over decisions concerning his future. For now, he remains contracted to Tottenham and available to the club.
With the Ndiaye deal no longer progressing, Spurs have switched their attention elsewhere and are discussing a season-long loan for Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk.
Manchester City, meanwhile, identified Ndiaye as an alternative attacking option after their proposed £80m move for Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo ran into difficulties.
Liverpool had been open to selling the Netherlands international, but only if they could recruit another attacker before allowing him to leave.
The Reds completed a major deal for Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain on Monday, with the transfer potentially rising to £123m. Despite that arrival, Liverpool still wanted another forward before sanctioning Gakpo’s departure.
Moves for Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh and Crystal Palace attacker Ismaila Sarr have proved difficult because of their respective valuations.
Liverpool are therefore expected to retain the 27-year-old Gakpo unless they can secure another attacking signing before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
City have now turned their focus firmly towards Ndiaye, putting themselves in position to complete one of the most significant late deals of the window.