Sheffield United are still trying to keep hold of star forward Iliman Ndiaye despite reports of growing interest from French giants, Marseille.
Last week saw numerous reports emerge suggesting that Ndiaye was effectively on his way out of United to sign for Marseille. Some even claimed a five-year deal had been agreed.
However, nothing has come from that talk and Paul Heckingbottom played things down at the weekend. Ndiaye has now flown to Portugal to be part of United’s pre-season camp.
And according to Alan Nixon, there is a growing sense of hope that Ndiaye will actually sign a new contract with United.
Writing on his Patreon yesterday, Nixon has claimed United hope a ‘smart’ new contract – with terms weighted towards Ndiaye in wages and a release-clause – will persuade the forward to sign. Indeed, it’s claimed by Nixon that this sort of contract is now the most ‘likely solution’.
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Further, it’s claimed Marseille will not pay what United want this summer. The Blades rejected £25m for Ndiaye in January and the club have been firm in rejecting approaches for their star man.
Sheffield United News View: The ideal scenario
It would be an absolutely enormous boost to proceedings if United can get Ndiaye to put pen to paper on a new deal.
It would lift the entire squad, crowd and club in general if he does sign a new contract. Yes, we know a release-clause might be in there and we’d know if we went down he’d be off. But keeping Ndiaye gives us the best chance of staying up.
If Ndiaye stays, keeps us up, and helps us pocket another £100m+, then he’ll have done his job. If he leaves next summer even if we are still in the Premier League, then that’s just how it is.
Hopefully, there is a bit of light at the end of the tunnel with this one after things looked so bleak last week.