City are working on a move for Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye, with Jack Grealish potentially heading in the opposite direction if an agreement can be found.
Ben Jacobs reports that City are pursuing the 26-year-old as they consider another change to Enzo Maresca’s attacking options before the transfer deadline.
The update follows an earlier report from talkSPORT’s Alex Crook that City were showing interest in Ndiaye, who Everton value at around £80m.
Fabrizio Romano has also reported that City have suggested to Everton a possible deal involving Ndiaye moving to the Etihad Stadium.
City work on Ndiaye move
Jacobs’ latest information moves the story beyond City’s initial interest.
He says City are now “working on a move” for Ndiaye and that Grealish is likely to return to Everton if the clubs can reach an agreement.
Grealish spent last season on loan on Merseyside and is keen to go back, with talks over another move now under way.
It remains unclear exactly how the two transfers would be structured.
There has been no report of a straight swap agreement, while Everton’s reported £80million valuation of Ndiaye would leave plenty for the clubs to negotiate.
Ndiaye is contracted to Everton until 2029 and has become one of David Moyes’ most important attacking players.
Romano reports that the Senegal international rejected two offers from Saudi Arabia earlier this summer because he wants to remain in the Premier League.
Arsenal have also considered Ndiaye, according to Crook, although former City striker Julian Alvarez remains their preferred attacking target.
For City, attention has now moved from monitoring Ndiaye to seeing whether a deal can actually be done.
Grealish’s desire to return to Everton could help discussions between the clubs, but there is no indication yet that Everton have agreed to sell Ndiaye or accepted City’s terms.
For more info on this and other City transfer deals and rumours, please check out our live transfer tracker.
