Iliman Ndiaye and his representatives have reportedly worked out personal terms with Saudi side Al-Hilal, making the likelihood that he'll leave Everton this summer feel more real than ever.
According to multiple sources, including Pete O'Rourke at Footy Insider, Ndiaye and the Saudi club have come to an agreement on what his possible move would pay him, with indications being that the player is keen to make the move.
Everton, of course, control the entire situation. Ndiaye is an Everton player, under contract for three more seasons, and the club has no incentive to sell him for less than the asking price, rumored to be at least £70 million. That figure would be a major profit on the price Everton paid two summers ago.
However, letting Ndiaye go would also mean that Everton would be missing one of the key cogs in their attack. The Senegal international has contributed 18 goal involvements (15 goals, 3 assists) in two seasons on Merseyside.
His dribbling and technical prowess are unmatched in Everton's current squad, and while David Moyes has a tendency to become overreliant on him, there's little doubt that Ndiaye is one of the most talented players on the team.
That's why selling him becomes a major question, possibly one that could present a crossroad for Everton Football Club.
On the one hand, even selling him at the low end of their expectations would yield roughly £53 million in profit, money the club could turn around and use on major needs like right back and in defensive midfield.
But the sale would add another need to the list, as replacing Ndiaye's output and centrality in Moyes' tactical plan (if you want to call it that) would be paramount. Maybe this opens the door for Jack Grealish's return, after Manchester City left him off the squad for their Asian tour this summer, but that is not really a like-for-like replacement.
So there's a case to be made that replacing Ndiaye would cost as much as letting him go, or least bite into a large chunk of the profit, putting Everton in the same spot they were already in regarding right back and other areas of need, but without Iliman Ndiaye.
We've seen what the attack looks like without him in preseason so far, and save for an absolutely horrendous match from Dundee's goalkeeper, Everton have scored zero goals. That's not all on missing Ndiaye, but it doesn't help.
That version of Everton is in a relegation scrap from day one, and letting Ndiaye go could put the Toffees in that hole.
Maybe it would work out. They'd make the sale, find a replacement who immediately steps in and makes an impact, and all is well. But there's little to suggest that this version of Everton's recruitment team could manage that.
The better solution is to work to convince Ndiaye that this is a place for his future. The money is turning his head, but the football isn't going to be better in Saudi Arabia. If he stays, he can be part of making Everton a top club in the league and help end the trophy drought
It's difficult, because supporters don't want players who don't want to be at the club. But the club needs Iliman Ndiaye, or this season is going to be in trouble before it even begins.
Add us as a preferred source on Google