Everton Closing in on Marseille Midfielder
By Marley Pope
With Everton ranking 19th in goals per match and total goals last season, chance creation and offensive creativity are areas to address this summer.
According to Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna, Everton is close to striking a deal with Ligue 1 side Olympique de Marseille to sign attacking midfielder Iliman Ndiaye.
Ndiaye scored four goals and added three assists across 46 appearances for Marseille last season with 0.41 xG + xA per 90 ranking third on the team. Almost half of his appearances came as a substitute looking to be an impact player in the final moments of a match.
He can play in multiple positions in the attack, including central attacking midfielder and center forward. Ndiaye is a quick dribbler and can spark an attack with crisp passing and elite agility.
However, he failed to find footing this season and may be looking for a move with Robert De Zerbi coming in as Marseille's new manager.
Everton have been interested in Ndiaye for quite some time including when he played for Sheffield United.
The 24-year-old could potentially replace Abdoulaye Doucoure when Sean Dyche feels it is time to offer more of an attacking threat in that position behind the striker. With the current formation Dyche deploys, having a player like Ndiaye as the second striker is extremely important.
Everton are lacking a player who can take on a defender and create scoring chances, something Ndiaye can thrive at when given the chance. Ndiaye's 0.50 goal-creating actions per 90 are higher than Dwight McNeil, Jack Harrison, and Doucoure.
These rumors feel more concrete than ones in the past because of emerging new ownership and the breath of fresh air Freidkin and his camp are bringing.
Everton have also already brought in transfers in Aston Villa's Tim Iroegbunam and Leeds' Jack Harrison. The club seems to have more of a plan in place this summer to improve the squad ahead of the 2024/25 season.
The seemingly lighter pressure on the club when looking at PSR compliance may give them more leeway to be aggressive in transfer deals and potentially keep hold of team cornerstones.