If there’s one Everton player Liverpool fans would like to see swap blue for red in Merseyside, it is probably Iliman Ndiaye.
The champions have not done business with their city neighbours since 2002, when Abel Xavier swapped Goodison Park for Anfield.
However, Everton’s move away from Goodison means there is now greater distance between the two clubs, and rumours are rife that a transfer could be in the offing.
Liverpool can spend £100m in January if FSG are willing, who do you want to see signed? 💰
“Ultimately, if they want to spend £100m, there is nothing
stopping them. Whether they will or not is entirely down to the owners. They
have a £350m revolving credit facility – which you can basically liken to an
overdraft – that they can use if cash flow is tight. And if a blue-chip
centre-back is going to be the difference between qualifying for the Champions
League or not, it makes sense to pay a bit of a January premium and get a deal
done.”
Finance expert Adam Williams speaking to RTK about
Liverpool’s January transfer budget
Ndiaye is the man in question, with reports from France suggesting that Liverpool are keen on signing the Everton star.
Reports have since suggested that the Toffees have no intention of selling Ndiaye to Liverpool, but as whisperings continue to arrive, the Senegalese himself has already spoken out about Anfield.
Iliman Ndiaye aware of strength of Anfield
Ndiaye has been excellent since joining Everton from Sheffield United in 2024, scoring 15 goals in 53 appearances.
During September’s Merseyside Derby he had looked like being the main threat for the visitors having come into the game on the back of a couple of early Premier League goals.
READ MORE: Liverpool could finally have their Luis Diaz replacement as £70m star ‘open’ to move
So it proved in the game, with Ndiaye the man who set up Idrissa Gana Gueye to bring Everton back into the game at Anfield.
They could not go on to get an equaliser, though, proving Ndiaye’s pre-match verdict on Anfield completely true.
“I think just play our game, really,” the Senegal international had told South African site Sports Club before the game.
“Since the beginning of the season, we have played well and so we really need to just continue that momentum into this game. We need to give our hundred percent, play our game, be really focused. Anfield is not an easy place to go, but we will go there and give it everything to try to get the win.”
Liverpool’s four-man attacking transfer shortlist has been revealed 👀
Where would Ndiaye fit at Liverpool?
Although Liverpool made a number of attacking signings last summer, they are still arguably missing a starting left winger.
Cody Gakpo has had a disappointing season, failing to answer questions over whether he is the right option for the Reds long-term. Antoine Semenyo looked likely to be a target, but links have cooled in recent weeks.
Nevertheless, there remains a strong feeling that Liverpool are in the market for a starting left winger. Ndiaye could be that player.
This would not be an easy transfer to complete, however, and Ndiaye has not exactly marked himself out as a player who could be a definite improvement on Gakpo, despite his quality.
So, while Liverpool do need a player in his position, we’re not completely sure Ndiaye is the answer. He will likely only ever get to witness Anfield as an opposition player.
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