Tottenham had a mixed end to the transfer window after missing out on a few key targets.
A complete shift in transfer strategy saw Tottenham go above and beyond to land their transfer targets under Roberto de Zerbi this summer. The Lilywhites managed to show intent and ambition at a time when the club was crying out for someone to take responsibility and oversee a major squad overhaul. They did spend heavily on defence and midfield, but the North Londoners also splashed the cash on attacking reinforcements, with Omar Marmoush and Savio walking through the doors at Hotspur Way.
Their arrivals came at a time when Spurs needed more attacking profiles for the coming months, particularly after a humbling opening-day defeat against Brentford. That is exactly why the Lilywhites tried to lure Iliman Ndiaye to N17 during the latter stages of the transfer window earlier this week. Roberto De Zerbi had promised that there would be a transfer ‘bomba’ at the end of the window, forcing the North London club’s hand to show intent by bringing in additional attacking reinforcements.
To their credit, Spurs did well to act quickly and reach an agreement in principle with Everton for Iliman Ndiaye’s signature. Landing the Senegal international would have instantly bolstered the attack under Roberto De Zerbi, giving the Italian tactician plenty of depth in the final third for this season. However, the deal eventually fell through as Manchester City entered the fray by signalling their intentions to land the prolific winger.
Tottenham’s misfortune saw them miss out on Iliman Ndiaye
Tottenham were on the verge of completing a deal that would see Iliman Ndiaye move to N17 for £60m, with Richarlison heading back to Everton in a deal worth £35m. Personal terms were agreed with the Senegal international, and the only thing left was for the Lilywhites to wait patiently as we neared deadline day. Just earlier this summer, Ndiaye had turned down a move to Saudi Arabia as he wanted to remain in the Premier League, giving the North Londoners strong hope that he would move to N17 on a long-term deal.
However, through sheer bad luck and misfortune, Spurs missed out on landing the 26-year-old, with Manchester City coming in at the eleventh hour and hijacking the deal. The Cityzens were only forced to move quickly for Iliman Ndiaye after their £85m bid for Cody Gakpo was rejected by Liverpool earlier last week. The negotiations between City and Everton were straightforward, as Jack Grealish returned to the Hill Dickinson Stadium as part of a swap deal on deadline day.
Reliable journalist Jack Pitt-Brooke has now revealed two major reasons that saw Iliman Ndiaye move to Manchester City instead. Writing for The Athletic, Pitt-Brooke revealed,
“Spurs have spent significantly this summer and viewed it as a smart move to sign Ndiaye, with Richarlison as a makeweight, but that stalled when Richarlison did not agree terms with Everton. Ndiaye also preferred the idea of playing for City and the prospect of Champions League football.”
Tottenham were dealt the wrong cards in the end
As Jack Pitt-Brooke revealed, Iliman Ndiaye’s move to N17 hinged on Richarlison’s willingness to move to Everton as his replacement. It seemed as though the Brazilian favoured a move back to Merseyside after falling down the pecking order at Hotspur Way under Roberto de Zerbi. However, the 29-year-old failed to agree personal terms with the Toffees, forcing the North Londoners to pull out of the race for Ndiaye and see him move to Manchester City instead as a domino effect.
But Richarlison’s failed move to Everton is not the only reason why the Lilywhites missed out on Iliman Ndiaye. It was also revealed that the Senegal international wanted to play Champions League football this season and showcase his talent on the biggest stage. That is something that Spurs could not offer, thanks to their dismal Premier League campaign last season, which saw them finish well outside the European spots.