Manchester City forward Iliman Ndiaye hints at Marseille return after four games

Iliman Ndiaye has suggested he could return to Olympique de Marseille only weeks after completing his high-profile move to Manchester City, with his comments coming days after the club was found guilty on all charges in its financial fair play case.

Manchester City announced the signing of the Senegal international from Everton at the start of September. Ndiaye joined on a five-year contract in a deal worth £60m, with a further £5m in add-ons, after the club beat competition from Tottenham Hotspur to secure his transfer.

However, the 25-year-old has now left open the possibility of going back to southern France, where he spent the 2023/24 season after joining Olympique de Marseille from Sheffield United.

Asked by French newspaper La Provence about Marseille supporters chanting for his return, Ndiaye said: “I am happy to hear that.”

He added: “I don’t think the story is over, but we will see. I am just saying I don’t know where things will take me, but we will see anyway.”

The forward’s comments suggest he believes he still has unfinished business at the Stade Velodrome. He moved to Everton after only one season with Marseille, during which he scored four goals and provided five assists in 46 appearances.

Ndiaye also helped the club reach the semi-finals of the Europa League. Marseille’s domestic campaign was less successful, however, as they finished eighth and missed out on European qualification.

Timing of Ndiaye comments raises questions

The timing of the interview has attracted particular attention because it followed the Premier League’s announcement on Tuesday that Manchester City had been found guilty of all the charges brought against them in the financial fair play case. The club has appealed against the ruling.

Ndiaye has made four appearances in all competitions since joining Manchester City. Two of those came as a starter in the Premier League, against Coventry City and Sunderland, but he has yet to score or provide an assist.

Manchester City will return to competitive action with a difficult away fixture against Liverpool on Sunday, 11 October, following the international break. It will be the team’s first match since the formal guilty verdict was announced.

Three days later, Manchester City will host Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.