Iliman Ndiaye has hinted he would be keen on returning to former club Marseille in the future, admitting: "I don't think the story is over." The 26-year-old joined Manchester City from Everton in a £65million deal in the summer and has made an impressive start at the Etihad Stadium.
Although the Senegal international has not produced a goal or an assist in his first four appearances, he has helped City maintain their winning start and was a standout performer when he came on against Manchester United last month. However, despite joining City less than five weeks ago, Ndiaye has revealed he harbours ambitions of returning to Marseille.
Positive memories of Marseille
The French-born attacking midfielder spent one season at the Stade Velodrome, having joined from Sheffield United for £20m in 2023, before departing to sign for Everton 12 months later. He managed just four goals and five assists across 46 appearances for the Ligue 1 outfit.
When asked about Marseille supporters chanting for his return, Ndiaye said: "The shouts from Marseille supporters asking me to come back? It is nice to hear. I don't think that the story is finished, but we will see. I'm just saying, I never know where it'll lead me, but we'll see anyway. I only have positive memories of my time at OM [Marseille], and it was a source of pride for me. I don't miss a single match. It's my club, and it always will be."
Ndiaye is believed to have supported Marseille since childhood and leapt at the opportunity to join them when he departed Sheffield United three years ago. Although it did not go to plan during his short spell in the south of France, it appears he would not rule out having another go.
Man City guilty verdict and appeal
Ndiaye's remarks come just days after the Premier League announced that City had been found guilty on all charges relating to breaches of its financial regulations spanning from 2009/10 to 2017/18. These included artificially inflating revenue by over £900million through "sham" sponsorship agreements.
City, however, have denied any wrongdoing and lodged an appeal against the ruling on Thursday. The club maintain they are "innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League" and insist they have "a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence" to back their position.
"Manchester City Football Club can confirm that at 7pm on Thursday 1st October 2026 the Club lodged its comprehensive Appeal against the opinion of the Premier League Commission, in relation to the Premier League disciplinary matter," City said in a statement on Friday. "The Club's firm position is that, on multiple grounds, the opinion contains clear material errors, of law, principle and fact and is unsafe. The Club is innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League and a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all of its positions, relating to this case. We will continue to respect due process and are necessarily restricted in what we can say further until all proceedings are complete."
Ndiaye spent two years at Everton, scoring 17 goals and adding four assists in 74 appearances.
