In a move that could shatter one of football’s most enduring taboos, Liverpool have reportedly initiated contact regarding a potential transfer for Everton’s star forward Iliman Ndiaye, marking what might be the first direct deal between the bitter Merseyside rivals in over two decades.
Direct transfers between Liverpool and Everton are as rare as they come. The last player to cross the divide was defender Abel Xavier, who moved from Everton to Liverpool back in 2002 amid controversy and fan backlash. Now, according to a fresh report from FootMercato, history could repeat itself in the summer of 2026, with Liverpool among three Premier League heavyweights eyeing the Senegalese international.
The French outlet claims that Liverpool, alongside Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, have held “initial talks” over signing the 25-year-old. Importantly, these discussions were with Ndiaye’s agents rather than Everton directly, indicating early-stage interest rather than formal negotiations. FootMercato emphasized that Ndiaye features prominently on the shortlists of all three clubs, with the story labeled as “to be continued.”
Ndiaye’s rise has been meteoric since bursting onto the scene in England. He first gained prominence with Sheffield United in the Championship, helping them secure promotion before earning a €20m move to Marseille in the summer of 2023. However, his stint in Ligue 1 was short-lived, lasting just one season with four goals in 46 appearances. Everton snapped him up for around €20m in 2024, and the investment has paid dividends.
Since joining the Toffees, the versatile attacker—primarily deployed on the right wing but capable across the front line—has been electric. In his debut Premier League season with Everton, he notched nine goals, followed by four goals and one assist in 12 appearances so far this campaign. Overall, he’s scored 15 times in 52 matches for the club, forming strong partnerships with teammates like Jack Harrison (not Grealish, as a typo in earlier reports suggested) and showcasing energy, vision, and resilience that have revitalized Everton’s attack.
His performances haven’t gone unnoticed. Liverpool’s interest aligns with their ongoing hunt for new wingers, as evidenced by their confirmed pursuit of Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo. With Arne Slot’s side pushing for silverware, Ndiaye’s dribbling, creativity, and proven Premier League output make him an ideal fit for their fluid attacking system.
But Everton won’t let their prize asset go without a fight. Sources close to the club have dismissed rumored £30m valuations as “laughable,” insisting Ndiaye’s price tag is significantly higher, drawing parallels to defender Jarrad Branthwaite’s £70m+ valuation. Everton insiders are thrilled with his adaptation to top-flight football, noting his previous English experience was mostly in the Championship with Sheffield United. “He’s bringing exactly what we need – energy, vision, and resilience,” one source confided. The club plans to rebuff any advances in the January window, holding firm to their internal assessment.
Ndiaye’s contract runs until June 2029, and his market value is pegged at €35m by Transfermarkt. While Inter Milan were linked earlier in the year, the current buzz centers on the Premier League trio, with social media ablaze over the potential Liverpool move.
This development has sent shockwaves through the football world, with fans on X (formerly Twitter) debating the implications. One post from Senego highlighted how Ndiaye is “affoling l’Angleterre” (stirring up England), while BBC Match of the Day pondered if he could “swap one side of Merseyside for the other”.