Al Hilal agree huge Iliman Ndiaye salary but Everton hold firm over €80m fee

Al Hilal have reached a verbal agreement with Iliman Ndiaye on a lucrative contract, but must still persuade Everton to sanction the forward’s departure for a fee in excess of €80m.

The Saudi Pro League club have secured the Senegal international’s approval on personal terms, according to journalist Ekrem Konur, with Ndiaye prepared to make the move provided the clubs can strike a deal.

Ndiaye, who is under contract at Goodison Park until 2029, is understood to have accepted a proposed weekly wage of €316,000 – around £270,000. The offer underlines the scale of the financial package Al Hilal are prepared to commit to land the Everton attacker.

However, the agreement with the player represents only one part of the negotiation. Everton are described as unwilling to let Ndiaye go easily and are maintaining a hard line over their valuation.

Everton stance complicates talks

Africafoot reports that the Premier League side are demanding more than €80m to consider approving Ndiaye’s sale, a price that has become the main obstacle to progress between the two clubs.

That figure is significantly higher than the player’s current valuation on Transfermarkt, where Ndiaye is listed at €55m. The gap between Everton’s asking price and external estimates is said to be complicating efforts to reach a compromise.

Despite Al Hilal’s desire to move quickly and capitalise on their agreement with the player, negotiations with Everton are still at an early and delicate stage, with no breakthrough yet achieved.

Deal far from done

The discussions between the Saudi club’s hierarchy and Everton’s board are expected to be crucial in determining whether a transfer can be completed before the end of the current window.

Sources indicate that, while Al Hilal have made clear their strong interest in Ndiaye, the operation remains “far from finalised” given Everton’s stance and the size of the fee being discussed.

Ndiaye currently earns an annual salary of €2,795,582 (equivalent to 1,817,128,300 CFA francs) in England under his long-term deal with the Toffees, a contract that strengthens Everton’s negotiating position and reduces any urgency to sell.

For now, Al Hilal’s ambitious pursuit of the Senegal forward hinges on whether they are prepared to meet, or come close to, Everton’s demand of more than €80m – and whether the Premier League club are willing to soften their position as the transfer deadline approaches.