Everton sign forward Iliman Ndiaye from Marseille for £16.9m

Iliman Ndiaye has become Everton’s third signing of the summer after completing a €20m (£16.9m) move from Marseille.

The former Sheffield United forward has signed a five-year contract at Goodison Park having attracted interest from several Premier League clubs, including Crystal Palace. Ndiaye only joined Marseille at the start of last season after scoring 14 goals and providing 11 assists during United’s promotion-winning campaign of 2022-23. However, the 24-year-old Rouen-born forward had a difficult time back in France, with Marseille having four different coaches last season, and scored only four goals in 46 appearances.

Everton, who agreed an initial €18.5m deal plus €1.5m in add-ons with Marseille last week, believe Ndiaye’s versatility across the front line will help him recapture the form that has brought 20 caps for Senegal and a starring role at the 2022 World Cup. He becomes the club’s third signing of the summer following the return of Jack Harrison on loan from Leeds and the £9m deal for midfielder Tim Iroegbunam from Aston Villa.

“Iliman adds versatility to our attacking options and strengthens our forward line as we look to build on the progress we made as a team last season in terms of chances created,” said Everton manager, Sean Dyche. “He is still young but has experience at European and international level and we feel he will be a really positive addition to our squad.”

Kevin Thelwell, Everton’s director of football, added: “Iliman is a player we have admired for a long time and we are delighted to bring a much sought-after player of his quality to Everton. We think he will excite Evertonians and give our attack a different dimension. He has performed in Europe with a big club like Marseille and, at 24, we are confident he can be an excellent player for us for many years to come.”

Everton have sold Ben Godfrey to Atalanta and Lewis Dobbin to Villa this summer as they again try to meet Premier League profitability and sustainability rules (PSR). Despite Manchester United’s interest in Jarrad Branthwaite, the club maintains they are under no pressure to sell the England defender for a cut-price fee.