Manchester City are interested in signing Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye in a deal that could see Jack Grealish go the other way. Reports also suggest the Blues are attempting to seal a £20m move for Sunderland right-back Trai Hume.
A new right-back has been one of Everton's top priorities this summer, but with just five full days of the transfer window remaining, one has not been forthcoming so far. The Mirror and ESPN report that the Blues now have Hume on their radar.
Hume chase and Coleman replacement
Everton are looking for a long-term replacement at right-back for captain Seamus Coleman, who ended his 17-year stay at the club this summer. The ECHO understands the Blues may have made a move for Hume last summer had Sunderland not secured their return to the Premier League.
Addressing speculation about his future in May last year, the Northern Ireland international said: “You always get speculation in the summer or winter period that clubs are looking at this or that, but I have always said I love my football at Sunderland, I love the club and I am happy where I am at. If anything happens it’s down to the club. I am happy being there. I’ve worked hard to get here and been on a good journey. I won’t stop working to try to get better. At Sunderland we have stayed together, and we will try to keep the club where it belongs.”
Hume featured in all 38 of the Black Cats' matches last season as they marked their first campaign back in the top flight by securing a place in the Europa League. The Mirror reports that the 24-year-old has been at the centre of a tug-of-war between at least six clubs and has had offers from Spain, Italy and Germany. Hume, who was linked with a shock move to Real Madrid at the start of this summer, is keen to remain in the Premier League.
Ndiaye and Grealish talks
Reports emerged this afternoon suggesting that Man City are ready to open talks with Everton over Ndiaye. The Senegal international has turned down offers to sign a new contract at Hill Dickinson Stadium and also shunned interest from the Saudi Pro League this summer in order to stay in the Premier League.
Whether that is at Everton remains to be seen, with City seemingly set to test their North West rivals' resolve to keep Ndiaye, who has started the 2026-27 season in fantastic form following his return from the World Cup. A bargaining chip in any talks could be Grealish, who spent last season on loan with the Blues, scoring two goals and creating six more in 22 appearances before suffering a stress fracture in his foot in January.
The England international spent the remainder of the campaign rehabilitating at Everton's Finch Farm training base, but returned to training at the Etihad Campus in July. After proving his fitness to new manager Enzo Maresca, he came off the bench as City lost the Community Shield 3-0 to Arsenal and then produced a late fightback to win 2-1 at home to Bournemouth in their Premier League opener.
While Grealish is currently featuring under the Italian, it is understood his club would be willing to allow him to leave this summer either permanently or on loan. Maresca said today (Thursday): "He's here until the day he's not here. It's my duty to help him, to give us the best, and then in the next four or five days, we'll see what happens. I have spoken with Jack almost every day."
There were reports yesterday that Sunderland had lodged a bid to sign Grealish on loan for the rest of the season. His former club, Aston Villa, are also said to be monitoring developments. But it is understood that the playmaker, who made a British transfer record £100m switch from Villa to City in 2019, would prefer a move back to Everton if he leaves City.
Moyes calls for additions
After the Blues' 4-0 Carabao Cup win at Preston North End on Wednesday, manager David Moyes admitted he needs more signings before Tuesday's deadline. With veterans Coleman and Idrissa Gueye having left on the expiration of their contracts, Dwight McNeil departing in the swap deal that saw Brennan Johnson arrive from Crystal Palace, and Grealish's loan having ended, Moyes is of the view his squad is one player down on last season - when it was already one of the smallest in the Premier League.
He said: “I think we definitely need to continue to make additions, that's for sure. We thought our squad was quite thin last year and at the moment, I think we're still one down, if my numbers work out. We're one down from where we were even last year. So I still think we're short in the squad. I still think we're short in quality in some places. I need to try and add that.”
