Tottenham push for Iliman Ndiaye as Richarlison nears Everton return
Tottenham are in advanced talks to land Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye, while Richarlison is heading back to Merseyside in a separate deal. The north London club remains bottom of the Premier League without a goal in two matches and is accelerating moves before Tuesday's transfer deadline.
ByMatt
5 min read
Tottenham have entered advanced negotiations to sign Iliman Ndiaye from Everton, with Richarlison expected to travel in the opposite direction as part of a separate operation. The move comes days before the transfer deadline and amid a sweeping rebuild in north London following back-to-back 17th-place finishes.
- Tottenham and Everton are close to agreeing a deal for Ndiaye, although Manchester City are also monitoring the winger.
- Richarlison has repeatedly asked Roberto De Zerbi to leave and has an agreement in principle to rejoin Everton.
- Spurs have spent more than £300m this summer but sit bottom of the Premier League without scoring in two games.
- Everton are also working to bring Jack Grealish back on loan after the midfielder prioritised a return to Goodison Park.
Ndiaye close to completing Tottenham switch
The deal between Tottenham and Everton for the 26-year-old winger is largely in place, though his arrival in north London is not yet guaranteed. Manchester City are among the clubs to have expressed an interest in a player who rejected multiple contract offers from the Merseyside club.
The Senegal international joined Everton from Marseille in 2024 after spending one season in Ligue 1. Earlier in the summer he held talks with Saudi side Al-Hilal, a financially appealing option that remains on the table while he weighs his next step.
His arrival would give De Zerbi a flexible attacking option, comfortable off the wing or as a secondary striker, for a Tottenham side yet to find the net in the new league campaign.
Richarlison on his way back to Everton
Everton have reached an agreement in principle to re-sign Richarlison, the Brazilian striker who left Goodison Park for Tottenham in 2022. The forward has entered the final year of his contract and has made his desire to move clear to the Italian head coach.
"Richarlison, I don't know. He said too many times he wants to leave," De Zerbi said after Saturday's defeat to Newcastle.
The 11-goal forward would provide competition for first-choice striker Thierno Barry, particularly with uncertainty surrounding Beto's future. Richarlison was Tottenham's top scorer last season and played a central role in the club's final-day escape from relegation.
Three Tottenham players ask to leave De Zerbi's project
The Brazilian is one of three players to have requested an exit from Tottenham. Kevin Danso and Pape Matar Sarr were also left out of the squad that lost 2-0 at home to Newcastle, and De Zerbi confirmed both have told him they want out.
Danso, a 36-cap Austria centre-back, saw a season-long loan offer from Sunderland rejected by Tottenham. His opportunities have narrowed following the arrivals of Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke, while Micky van de Ven has secured his place with a new contract and the captaincy.
In midfield, Sarr's playing time has been affected by the signings of Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali. The 23-year-old Senegal international has drawn interest from Besiktas and several Premier League clubs, but Juventus are confident of signing him on loan with a conditional obligation to buy.
Everton target Grealish return and a new right-back
Everton are growing increasingly optimistic about completing a loan move for Jack Grealish from Manchester City. The England international spent last season on loan at Goodison Park and has prioritised returning there over rejoining Aston Villa, the club where he began his career.
The terms of any agreement remain complicated because Grealish is entering the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium. Even so, the player's preference makes Everton the most likely destination before the window shuts.
The Merseyside club also want a right-back and have reopened talks for Fulham's Kenny Tete after coming close to signing him last summer. Fulham are already assessing potential replacements and have entered negotiations to bring in Andrei Ratiu.
An interconnected market with deadline day approaching
The moves involving Tottenham, Everton, Manchester City and Fulham form part of a chain of Premier League deals ahead of Tuesday's deadline. Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo, another Spurs target, could trigger fresh negotiations if the Reds secure a replacement before sanctioning his departure.
Tottenham have already signed eight first-team players and broken their club transfer record twice in one week, but results have not followed. After defeats to Brentford and Newcastle without scoring, the pressure is building in north London.
Omar Marmoush, signed on loan from Manchester City last week, replaced Richarlison in the starting line-up against Newcastle. His adjustment will be crucial as Tottenham resolve the exits of players who no longer see their future at the club.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Richarlison likely to return to Everton?
The Brazilian striker has repeatedly told Roberto De Zerbi that he wants to leave Tottenham and is in the final year of his contract. Everton have agreed terms in principle to bring him back as a separate deal from the one taking Iliman Ndiaye to Spurs.
Which clubs are competing for Iliman Ndiaye?
Manchester City have shown interest in the Everton winger, while Saudi club Al-Hilal held talks with him earlier in the summer. The agreement between Tottenham and Everton is largely closed, but the player has yet to make a final decision.
How much have Tottenham spent on transfers this summer?
Tottenham have invested more than £300m and brought in eight first-team players during the current window. The club broke its transfer record twice in one week as part of the rebuild.