Man City Target Everton’s Ndiaye As Grealish Future Hangs In Balance

Manchester City have identified Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye as a potential replacement for Jack Grealish, with manager Enzo Maresca admitting the England international could leave the club before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

City are understood to have placed the 26-year-old Senegal international on their shortlist as they look to strengthen their attacking options following the £75 million sale of Sávio to Tottenham.

Everton value Ndiaye at around £80m, while the forward still has three years remaining on his contract at Goodison Park. He has earned 44 caps for Senegal and is regarded by Maresca as a key attacking target.

City’s interest comes as uncertainty continues to surround Grealish, who spent last season on loan at Everton.

The Toffees are keen to bring the 30-year-old back to Merseyside, while Sunderland have also expressed interest. Grealish is entering the final year of his Manchester City contract.

Maresca offered no guarantee that the winger would remain at the Etihad Stadium beyond the transfer deadline.

“Jack is here until the day that he’s not here,” Maresca said on Thursday. “It’s my duty to try to help him to give us the best and then we’ll see in the next four-five days what happens.”

City have already been active in the transfer market, completing a €37.5m (£34m) deal for Palmeiras winger Allan Elias on Monday.

They are also continuing to monitor Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo as they assess further attacking options.

However, Maresca’s plans extend beyond adding forwards. The manager is also keen to recruit experienced leaders after the departures of several influential figures, including Bernardo Silva, Rodri, John Stones and Nathan Aké.

Rúben Dias and Erling Haaland have been appointed captains, but Maresca wants to add further leadership to his squad before the window closes.

“We have experienced players. For sure, we have leaders. Now we need to wait four-five more days when the transfer window closes if we can add one or two more captains to Rúben and Erling,” he said.

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández has emerged as one of City’s leading targets. The 25-year-old, who has captained Chelsea, is being considered as the club seek to strengthen a midfield depleted by the departures of Rodri and Nico González.

Chelsea had set 14 August as their deadline for receiving offers for Fernández, but no bid materialised before that date.

City are nevertheless expected to explore the possibility of signing the Argentina international before Tuesday’s deadline.

With several areas of the squad still requiring attention, City face a busy final few days of the transfer window as Maresca attempts to rebuild a side that has undergone significant change.

Ndiaye and Fernández are among the key targets as City seek to combine attacking quality with greater leadership ahead of the remainder of the season.