Updated

Updated · The New York Times · Sep 1

Manchester City Agrees £65 Million Ndiaye Deal as Tottenham's Richarlison Return Stalls

Updated

Updated · The New York Times · Sep 1

Manchester City Agrees £65 Million Ndiaye Deal as Tottenham's Richarlison Return Stalls

Q: After losing Rodri and Silva, can Manchester City pull off a shock deadline-day heist for Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez?

Yes — but only if City and Chelsea bridge the fee gap in the final hours, and Chelsea secure cover. City have a real need. Rodri has gone to Barcelona, Bernardo Silva has left for Real Madrid, and City have also lost other midfield depth this summer. Their failed move for Cody Gakpo has pushed them back toward Enzo Fernandez, who is now their main late-window target. Multiple reports say direct club-to-club talks are active, Fernandez is open to the move, and personal terms are not expected to be a problem. The obstacle is Chelsea. They have spent most of the summer valuing Fernandez at around £120m, and some reports suggest they may now want even more given the deadline pressure. City are believed to have explored bids below that level, while other outlets claim talks have moved into the €135m-€140m range. That suggests the deal is live, but not yet straightforward. Chelsea’s own squad situation matters almost as much as the price. Fernandez has been left out of recent matchday squads and appears willing to go, but Chelsea are reluctant to weaken midfield unless they can bring in a replacement such as Manu Kone or Lamine Camara. Moises Caicedo’s recent injury concern only adds to that caution. So this is a genuine deadline-day heist rather than a fantasy. City have the money, the need and the player’s approval. But whether they can pull it off depends on two moving parts: satisfying Chelsea’s valuation and giving Chelsea enough time to complete a replacement.

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 1

£65 million has put Manchester City in front for Iliman Ndiaye, with the Everton forward due for a medical on Tuesday before the 11pm BST deadline.
City's move overturned Tottenham's earlier agreement in principle for the 26-year-old Senegal international, leaving Spurs' planned chain deal exposed.
Richarlison's return to Everton has now stalled, removing the immediate replacement that had underpinned Tottenham's pursuit of Ndiaye.
Everton are still active elsewhere, agreeing to take Jack Grealish from City on a second straight season-long loan and tracking a £9 million move for Kenny Tete.
The late swing underlines how deadline-day business remains fluid across the Premier League, with several major deals still unresolved.