Liverpool and Manchester City set to test Al Hilal’s resolve in Iliman Ndiaye transfer battle

Al Hilal’s bid to reinforce their attack with Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye faces a major challenge after Liverpool and Manchester City entered the race for the Senegal international, according to Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat.

The Saudi Pro League champions have identified Ndiaye as a leading target for the summer window as they look to complete their frontline rebuild under Italian coach Simone Inzaghi before the new season begins.

Ndiaye, who plays for Everton in the Premier League, is viewed by Al Hilal as the primary alternative should negotiations stall with Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembele, who remains the club’s first-choice option in the current market.

However, Asharq Al-Awsat reports that Al Hilal will now face strong competition from England, with Liverpool and Manchester City both showing serious interest in signing Ndiaye in the ongoing transfer window.

European interest reshapes Al Hilal’s plans

Al Hilal had appeared well placed to press ahead with their move for the 24-year-old, but the involvement of two of the Premier League’s biggest clubs is expected to complicate the Saudi side’s efforts to secure his signature.

The report states that the outcome of the transfer battle will not depend solely on the sporting project on offer. Financial terms are expected to play a decisive role, both in the fee Everton would receive for the player and in the annual salary proposed to Ndiaye himself.

Al Hilal’s hierarchy are aware they may be forced into a more aggressive financial proposal if they are to compete with Liverpool and Manchester City, whose interest is described as substantial.

Hilal’s ambitious summer under Inzaghi

The Riyadh club have already made a major statement in this window by completing a high-profile deal for Dutch forward Krcicencio Summerville from West Ham United, in what has been described as one of the standout transfers of the summer.

Securing Summerville has been viewed internally as a significant blow to their domestic and regional rivals, but Al Hilal are determined not to stop there. The club are actively searching for another attacking winger to complement their new signing and give Inzaghi additional options in the final third.

Ndiaye has consequently been placed at the top of their list, given his ability to operate across the forward line and his experience in English football.

Financial muscle likely to decide Ndiaye’s future

According to Asharq Al-Awsat, Al Hilal understand that the financial landscape of this deal is becoming increasingly complex. The club must now weigh the cost of meeting Everton’s valuation against the need to present Ndiaye with a salary package capable of persuading him to choose Saudi Arabia over a move to Anfield or the Etihad Stadium.

The contest with two of the Premier League’s leading sides could, the report suggests, force Al Hilal’s management to improve their financial offer significantly if they wish to complete what they regard as one of the most important transfers of their summer.

Al Hilal hope to build on the momentum of their business so far, but the growing involvement of Liverpool and Manchester City means their pursuit of Ndiaye is likely to be one of the more fiercely contested sagas of the current window.