Reports claim Iliman Ndiaye has agreed terms with Al Hilal, but Everton insist they have not received an approach and the player is not for sale. The club has rejected several generous contract offers from Ndiaye this year, and manager David Moyes declared in April: 'He is the last person I would consider selling.'
Ndiaye's Historic Goals
Ndiaye scored Everton's last goal at Goodison Park – the final two, in fact, against Southampton – and then registered their first competitive goal at Hill Dickinson Stadium against Brighton & Hove Albion. He dedicated the goal to his daughter Ayla, who had predicted he would score. He said: 'Yeah, it means a lot. Obviously when you play football you want to create history, so it felt good. The question was asked to me about 'who's going to score the first goal at the new stadium?' and my daughter just said 'Dada' so that goal was for her. It was amazing.'
His dribbling skills have made him a fan favourite, inspiring a terrace anthem: 'I am in love, I can't deny, our number 10 his name is Iliman Ndiaye; From Senegal to Bramley-Moore, he's f***ing magic he's the one that we adore. Ole, Ole; Ole, Ola…'
Contract and Transfer Claims
Despite his heroics, Ndiaye has been talking to other media about his future. He told France Football: 'I'm certain the story isn't over at all with Marseille,' and declared to SPORTbible: 'I want to be playing in Europe, in the Champions League.' He made thinly veiled digs at Everton's displays. After the season, he said: 'It (the season) has gone okay, personally, I think I could have been better. The start of the season was very good but the second part, not so much. I don't think it's fatigue. For me, the team has not been at its best. You can speak individually, but when the whole team is not working, you can't really say this player is fatigued or not doing well.'
In contrast, teammate Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall posted on Instagram: 'Awful end to the season after a promising campaign, miles off it to be honest. A long summer now to review and come back bigger and better next year. Thanks for all the love in my first season here.'
Fan Reaction and Attendance Stats
Everton's average attendance this season was 52,121, eclipsing the previous best of 51,603 from 1962/63. Meanwhile, the Saudi Pro League's average gate for 2025/26 was just 7,736, with one match between Al Riyadh and Al Khaleej attracting only 193 spectators. Ndiaye, 26, is at his peak, while compatriot Idrissa Gueye, 37, might chase a final payday. But for Ndiaye, a move to Saudi would waste his best years and risk losing the goodwill of Everton fans.
