Iliman Ndiaye has opened up on his deadline-day transfer drama, revealing he always wanted Manchester City over Tottenham and is ready to prove he belongs at the very top.
The 26-year-old found it hard to leave Everton but is itching to show what he can do fighting for the biggest titles after City completed a £65m move for him in the final hours of the transfer window.
Dizzying search to replace Marmoush
City's move came after a dizzying search to replace Omar Marmoush. The Blues looked at signing Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo before switching to Ndiaye a few days before deadline day, only to switch attention back to Gakpo.
That saw Tottenham move for Ndiaye, with the Senegal international lined up to move to North London and Richarlison heading back to Everton to reinforce their attack. However, when Liverpool decided against selling Gakpo, it forced City to move back for Ndiaye and the player ultimately got what he had always wanted.
'When City comes through you don't say no'
Speaking after making his debut in a 1-0 win over Coventry, Ndiaye said: "My week has been good. There was no stress or no panicking. I always say whatever comes, comes. God decides your future, it's already written. I was just being patient and when City came through I was buzzing."
"This is where I think I belong. I've worked hard to get to this point. When I was speaking with my wife I was telling her if I had to leave Everton it would be somewhere where I know I would be playing Champions League."
"For me it was always going to be City. I wanted Champions League and playing at one of the best teams in the world. I'm not saying Tottenham is not but when Manchester City comes through you don't say no. It's been a good week for me and topped off with a win today."
