Sheffield United face a battle to keep hold of Iliman Ndiaye late in the window with Everton looking to buy the Blades striker.
Everton are in the bottom three of the Premier League after another loss at West Ham this weekend. Frank Lampard spoke afterwards about needing some attacking signings. And according to The Sun, the Everton boss wants to bring Ndiaye to the club.
The Sun reports how Everton are trying to come up with £15m to try and tempt Ndiaye away from Sheffield United.
The Toffees are strapped for cash it stands but given the perils that relegation will bring financially, could look to spend something this month to try and stave off going down. They are already signing Arnaut Danjuma, and could also sell Anthony Gordon to raise funds.
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For United, the notion of selling Ndiaye is not one Paul Heckingbottom wants to entertain. The United boss has spoken more than once about keeping the squad together. And further, £15m is unlikely to tempt the Blades into any sort of quick sale.
Ndiaye got himself another assist this weekend as United beat Hull City. Ndiaye is also United’s top goalscorer, while he also starred for Senegal in the World Cup.
Everton’s interest follows on from previous reports claiming Premier League clubs were watching Ndiaye.
Sheffield United News View: £15m an insult if that’s what Everton think
He might only have around 18 months on his contract but if Everton think United are selling their star man for £15m, then they’ve surely got another thing coming.
Yes, a transfer embargo needs sorting at the club. With that, there might be some pressure to sell someone this month.
However, the idea of losing Ndiaye makes zero sense. If he goes, promotion suddenly becomes a much harder ask.
United should reject this ‘bid’ out of hand before it even gets going. Everton are desperate, as we know. But the Blades should value Ndiaye at a lot more than £15m right now.
