'Here we go' - Crystal Palace and Rangers beaten to £17m transfer by Premier League rivals

Toby Bryant
By Toby Bryant
Published 25th Jun 2024, 12:01 BST
Crystal Palace had been linked with a move for the striker.Crystal Palace had been linked with a move for the striker.
Crystal Palace had been linked with a move for the striker. | Wolves via Getty Images
The former Sheffield United talisman is on the verge of making his long-awaited move to the Premier League.

Crystal Palace are set to be beaten to the signing of Marseille striker Iliman Ndiaye by Premier League rivals Everton, in what would be a major coup for the Merseyside club.

The former Sheffield United talisman rejoined the Ligue 1 outfit last summer, having spent time in the club's youth academy as a youngster. Ndiaye could have played in the Premier League having helped Sheffield United to promotion in 2023 but made the £20 million switch to France in favour of staying at the Blades.

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Several top flight clubs had been linked with the player 12 months ago and now the 24-year-old looks finally set to arrive in the Premier League. Ndiaye only managed four goals in 46 appearances across all competitions for Marseille last term but had plundered 14 goals and 11 assists in the Championship during the 2022/23 campaign.

Taking to social media platform X on Tuesday morning, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano wrote: "Iliman Ndiaye to Everton, here we go! Deal in place for €18.5m plus €1.5m add-ons. Olympique Marseille accepted terms and contracts are set to be signed. Ndiaye has agreed on a five year deal at #EFC, despite other PL clubs' interest he only wanted Everton."

The former Sheffield United man had been named as a 'top target' this summer for Crystal Palace by The Sun. The player can play across the front three, which highlighted his potential as a versatile replacement for any sale of Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze.

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Ndiaye could arrive as a replacement for Calvert-Lewin at Everton.Ndiaye could arrive as a replacement for Calvert-Lewin at Everton.
Ndiaye could arrive as a replacement for Calvert-Lewin at Everton. | Getty Images

The Eagles reportedly made a 'firm inquiry' for the player while he was at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year. Scottish giants Rangers had also been credited with interest in the player's services.

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News of his imminent Everton switch comes after a deal between Newcastle United and the Toffees for Dominic Calvert-Lewin fell through this week. It's expected that the Englishman will quit Goodison Park this summer with Ndiaye as his ready-made replacement.

Related topics:RangersPremier LeagueEvertonCrystal Palace

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