‘You don’t say no to Manchester City’ – Senegal forward Iliman Ndiaye

Senegal forward Iliman Ndiaye says he could not turn down Manchester City after the Premier League champions completed a £60m deal to sign him from Everton on transfer deadline day.

The 26-year-old had been close to joining Tottenham, but the move collapsed after Spurs were unable to sell Richarlison.

City then stepped in for the Senegal international, who was immediately handed a starting place in their 1-0 Premier League victory over Coventry.

Ndiaye said he remained calm throughout the uncertainty over his future before City made their move.

“There was no stress or panicking,” he said.

“I always say whatever comes, comes. God decides your future – it is already written.

“I was just being patient and when City came through I was buzzing. It was always going to be City.

“I wanted Champions League and playing at one of the best teams in the world. I am not saying Tottenham is not, but when Manchester City comes through you don’t say no.”

Ndiaye spent two seasons at Everton after joining from Marseille for £15m in 2024, scoring 17 goals and becoming a popular figure among the club’s supporters.

Despite Everton finishing in the bottom half of the Premier League in both seasons, Ndiaye said he had always wanted his next move to be to a club competing in the Champions League.

“When I was speaking with my wife, I was telling her that if I had to leave Everton it would be somewhere where I know I would be playing Champions League,” he said.

“It was difficult to leave Everton. I created a great connection with the fans and the players there, but we have to move on sometimes and it’s how football is.”

Ndiaye’s career began in non-league football with Boreham Wood before he moved to Hyde United, just seven miles from City’s Etihad Stadium, seven years ago.

He later played in the Championship for Sheffield United and spent a season at Marseille before joining Everton.

The forward said his move to City represented another major step in a career that has taken him from non-league football to one of the world’s biggest clubs.

“I don’t really look back. I just look to the future and work hard. I never stop,” he said.

“I just look at the next step and this is a big step to join Manchester City.

“It is one of the biggest clubs in the world. There are world-class players, world-class stadium and the fans are brilliant.

“This is where I think I belong. I have worked hard to get to this point.”