Everton could be set for a dramatic end to a transfer window that has already sparked supporter unrest, with a potential swap deal seeing Iliman Ndiaye move to Tottenham Hotspur and Richarlison return to Merseyside.
The club pulled out of talks to sell teenage midfielder Harrison Armstrong after fans protested against the proposed move to Nottingham Forest. The withdrawal came after Everton supporters made their feelings clear during the match at Bournemouth, with chief executive Angus Kinnear present. The episode is expected to damage the reputation of owners the Friedkin Group, and their next moves will face close scrutiny before Tuesday's transfer deadline.
Ndiaye and Richarlison swap takes shape
Tottenham are now expected to turn their attention to Ndiaye after losing out to Manchester City in the race to sign Cody Gakpo from Liverpool. Everton have insisted throughout the year that they want to keep Ndiaye, who has three years remaining on his contract. However, the Senegal international has turned down multiple new deals and wants to play Champions League football. Spurs finished 17th in the Premier League for the second straight season but have spent heavily in pursuit of a return to the top tier.
Manager David Moyes has stressed the need to keep Ndiaye since April, saying on Friday: “The first thing I would say is I’m certainly not encouraging a bid, that’s for sure. I’m not encouraging that in a million years.”
On Sunday morning, The Athletic reported that a deal sending Ndiaye to north London and Richarlison back to Everton was progressing. The Brazilian remains popular on Merseyside and would strengthen the Blues' attack, though he has struggled with injuries in recent years.
Grealish return possible as right-back hunt continues
If the swap advances, Everton may try to compensate for Ndiaye's departure by reigniting their interest in Jack Grealish. The Blues have stayed in contact with the winger since his loan spell ended and have been tracking his recovery from the injury that cut short his first stint at the club. Grealish played in the Community Shield and City's opening Premier League match, but Gakpo's expected arrival would push him down the pecking order at the Etihad.
Everton are still without a new right-back, a position Moyes and Kinnear have both identified as a priority. After interest in Guele Doue, Alistair Johnson, Timothy Castagne and Daniel Munoz, the club could now move for Kenny Tete, who chose to sign new terms with Fulham last summer instead of joining the Blues.
Squad uncertainty remains
The futures of several first-team players are also unclear, with Moyes believing the squad is too small to challenge for Europe. Beto, Tim Iroegbunam, Nathan Patterson and Carlos Alcaraz are all entering the final year of their contracts and could play peripheral roles, while Adam Aznou has not been named in either of Moyes' first two Premier League squads.
