AL-HILAL REPORTEDLY COMPLETE DEAL FOR EVERTON STAR ILIMAN NDIAYE AS SAUDI MOVE DRAWS CLOSE
AL-HILAL REPORTEDLY COMPLETE DEAL FOR EVERTON STAR ILIMAN NDIAYE AS SAUDI MOVE DRAWS CLOSE
Al-Hilal have reportedly moved closer to signing Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye, with the Senegal international understood to have agreed terms with the Saudi Pro League giants as negotiations over his transfer continue. Although the move has not yet been officially confirmed by either club, reports surrounding the deal have intensified significantly, with Al-Hilal pushing to bring the talented attacker to Saudi Arabia.
The latest developments suggest that Al-Hilal are accelerating their pursuit of Ndiaye after making the Everton forward one of their major attacking targets. Reports indicate that personal terms have been agreed between the player and the Saudi club, leaving the transfer fee between Al-Hilal and Everton as the major issue still standing in the way of a formal announcement.
For that reason, the transfer can currently be described as being on the verge of completion rather than officially confirmed. Nevertheless, the growing reports have created significant excitement among Al-Hilal supporters while leaving Everton fans increasingly concerned about the possible departure of one of their most important attacking players.
Al-Hilal Push Ahead in Ndiaye Pursuit
Al-Hilal’s interest in Ndiaye has developed into one of the major transfer stories surrounding Everton this summer. The Saudi club have reportedly been monitoring the Senegalese forward and have now stepped up their efforts to secure his signature.
Recent reports suggest that Al-Hilal have already opened negotiations with Everton, while the player’s representatives have been involved in discussions with the Saudi club. According to Football Insider, Al-Hilal have agreed personal terms with Ndiaye’s camp and are now attempting to finalise an agreement with Everton over the transfer fee.
That development is significant because it suggests that the player’s side may already be comfortable with the proposed move. The remaining obstacle is therefore expected to be the agreement between the two clubs.
Al-Hilal are understood to view Ndiaye as an important addition to their attacking options. The Saudi giants have been strengthening their squad with high-profile players and appear determined to add further quality and versatility to their forward line.
The club’s interest in Ndiaye also comes after their reported acquisition of Crysencio Summerville from West Ham. Al-Hilal’s pursuit of the Everton forward would represent another major move as the club continues to build a squad capable of competing at the highest level domestically and internationally.
Ndiaye’s Everton Journey
Ndiaye joined Everton from Marseille in July 2024, arriving at Goodison Park after an impressive spell in English football with Sheffield United and a season in France with Marseille.
Everton signed the Senegal international for a reported fee of around £15 million, giving him the opportunity to establish himself in the Premier League and play a major role in the club’s attacking plans.
Since arriving at Everton, Ndiaye has developed into an important attacking player. His ability to operate in different positions has made him particularly valuable. He can play from wide areas, operate behind the striker and contribute as an attacking midfielder, giving his manager tactical flexibility.
His technical ability, dribbling, movement and willingness to take defenders on have made him one of the more exciting players in Everton’s attacking unit.
That versatility is one of the reasons Al-Hilal are believed to be interested in him. The Saudi club are not simply looking for a conventional winger. Ndiaye can contribute in several attacking roles, making him a potentially valuable addition to a squad competing across multiple competitions.
A Major Blow for Everton
If the reported move is completed, Everton will face the difficult task of replacing one of their most influential attacking players.
Reports have already described Ndiaye’s potential departure as a significant blow for the Toffees. FourFourTwo recently reported that his imminent departure would remove one of Everton’s important sources of attacking threat ahead of the new season.
Everton will therefore have to consider whether to accept Al-Hilal’s proposal or demand a substantially higher transfer fee before allowing the player to leave.
The financial side of the deal could become particularly important. Everton are under no obligation to sell Ndiaye cheaply, especially given his importance to the squad and the length of his contract.
Football Insider reported that the transfer fee remains the key sticking point despite personal terms reportedly being agreed with the player’s camp.
This means Everton are likely to be focused on ensuring that any eventual agreement reflects Ndiaye’s importance to the club.
Why Al-Hilal Want Ndiaye
For Al-Hilal, Ndiaye represents an attractive combination of youth, experience and attacking versatility.
At 26, the Senegalese forward is entering an important stage of his career. He has already played in several different footballing environments and has experience in the Premier League, Ligue 1 and international football.
His time with Sheffield United helped establish him in English football, while his spell at Marseille gave him experience of playing for one of France’s biggest clubs. His move to Everton subsequently provided him with an opportunity to prove himself at Premier League level.
Ndiaye has also become an established member of the Senegal national team, giving him international experience that could be valuable to Al-Hilal.
His ability to play across the frontline could also make him particularly useful to the club’s tactical plans. Rather than being limited to one position, he can move between the wing and central attacking areas, potentially allowing Al-Hilal to change their approach during matches.
Personal Terms Reportedly Agreed
One of the biggest developments in the story is the report that Ndiaye has already agreed personal terms with Al-Hilal.
Football Insider reported that Al-Hilal have reached an agreement with the player’s camp over personal terms and are now concentrating on resolving the transfer fee with Everton.
If accurate, that would represent an important step toward completing the transfer.
However, agreeing personal terms does not mean a transfer has been officially completed. The clubs must still reach an agreement, and the necessary contractual and registration procedures must be concluded before the move can be considered official.
This distinction is particularly important because reports have been mixed.
While some sources have suggested that the transfer is now extremely close, Goal reported on August 1 that Ndiaye’s father had denied claims that his son had already agreed to join Al-Hilal.
That conflicting information means supporters should remain cautious until Everton or Al-Hilal make an official announcement.
Reports of a Saudi Pro League Move
Ndiaye’s potential move to Saudi Arabia is another example of the growing influence of the Saudi Pro League in the international transfer market.
Over the past several years, Saudi clubs have increasingly targeted established European players, offering competitive salaries and major sporting projects. Al-Hilal, in particular, have become one of the most ambitious clubs in the league.
For Ndiaye, moving to Al-Hilal would represent a major change in his career.
The Senegalese attacker would be leaving the Premier League at the age of 26, a point in his career when many players are looking to establish themselves at the highest level of European football.
However, the attraction of the Saudi Pro League goes beyond financial considerations. Al-Hilal have significant ambitions and continue to recruit players capable of helping them compete for major domestic and international honours.
The opportunity to play alongside elite players and compete for trophies could therefore be an important part of the attraction for Ndiaye.
Everton’s Next Move Could Decide Everything
The most important development from this point forward will be Everton’s response.
With Al-Hilal reportedly having personal terms in place with Ndiaye, the focus will now be on the negotiations between the two clubs.
Everton could demand a significant transfer fee before agreeing to sell their forward. The club may also need to identify a replacement if Ndiaye leaves, especially because his departure would reduce the team’s attacking depth.
The situation is particularly important because Everton are preparing for another Premier League campaign and will want to ensure that they have enough quality in the squad before the season begins.
Losing a player of Ndiaye’s versatility at this stage of the transfer window could force the club into an urgent search for another forward.
The Player’s Importance to Everton
Ndiaye’s potential departure would not simply be the loss of another squad player.
He has become a player capable of changing games through his movement and individual ability. His dribbling can create opportunities in tight spaces, while his versatility allows him to operate in different attacking positions.
For a team like Everton, having players capable of producing something unexpected can be extremely important.
That is why supporters may be disappointed if the move eventually becomes official.
Everton originally invested in Ndiaye with the expectation that he would develop into an important player for the club. After establishing himself in the Premier League, his potential departure would leave Everton needing to reinvest a substantial part of the transfer income into rebuilding the attack.
Al-Hilal’s Ambition
For Al-Hilal, however, the potential signing would be another statement of intent.
The club are continuing to build a squad with the ambition of dominating Saudi football while remaining competitive on the international stage.
Ndiaye’s age and versatility would fit that strategy. Unlike some older stars who have moved to the Saudi Pro League at the end of their European careers, Ndiaye is still entering what should be some of the most productive years of his career.
His signing would therefore potentially give Al-Hilal a player capable of contributing immediately while still having several years of football ahead of him.
The club’s interest also highlights how Saudi teams are increasingly looking at players who are still performing at a high level in European competitions rather than exclusively pursuing established veteran names.
Transfer Not Officially Confirmed Yet
Despite the growing reports, it is important to stress that the transfer has not yet been officially confirmed.
Some reports indicate that Al-Hilal are close to completing the deal, while other information suggests that negotiations are still ongoing. The report of personal terms being agreed represents a major step, but Everton and Al-Hilal still need to finalise the club-to-club agreement.
Therefore, claims that Ndiaye has “signed” for Al-Hilal should currently be understood as reports of an agreement or imminent transfer rather than an official confirmation.
Until Everton or Al-Hilal announce the transfer, there remains a possibility that negotiations could change or even collapse.
Nevertheless, the direction of the story is clear: Al-Hilal are pushing strongly for Ndiaye, and the move appears to be getting closer.
What Happens Next?
The next stage will likely involve negotiations over the final transfer fee.
If Al-Hilal meet Everton’s valuation and the remaining contractual requirements are completed, the transfer could then be formally announced.
For Everton, the priority will be securing a fee that adequately reflects the player’s importance. For Al-Hilal, the objective will be to complete the deal without allowing negotiations to drag on or another club to enter the race.
For Ndiaye, meanwhile, the decision could represent one of the biggest moments of his career.
A move to Al-Hilal would take him away from the Premier League and into a different footballing environment, but it would also place him at one of Saudi Arabia’s most ambitious clubs.
Conclusion
The reported transfer of Iliman Ndiaye from Everton to Al-Hilal has become one of the major developing stories of the summer transfer window.
Al-Hilal are reportedly pushing hard to secure the Senegalese forward, with recent reports claiming that personal terms have been agreed and that the Saudi club are now working to finalise the transfer fee with Everton.
If the deal is completed, it would represent a major signing for Al-Hilal and a significant loss for Everton.
Ndiaye has established himself as an important attacking player since arriving at Everton from Marseille, and his ability to play in several positions makes him particularly valuable.
However, despite reports suggesting that the transfer is close, it is not yet officially confirmed. Indeed, conflicting reports have emerged, including a denial from Ndiaye’s father regarding claims that his son has already agreed to join Al-Hilal.
For now, the safest conclusion is that Iliman Ndiaye is on the verge of a potential move to Al-Hilal, with negotiations believed to be at an advanced stage.
If Al-Hilal and Everton can reach a final agreement, the Saudi club could soon officially announce the arrival of one of Everton’s most exciting attacking players.
Until that announcement arrives, however, supporters should treat the transfer as imminent but not yet officially confirmed.
