Jamie Carragher has named the most fascinating signing made by Manchester City during this summer transfer window. He explained that it is unbelievable to see all other Premier League teams allowing the Cityzens to make such a brilliant singing with such a ridiculous amount.
Carragher made the statement after City moved to complete a deal worth up to £65m for Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye, striking with characteristic speed after their pursuit of Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo stalled.
The Senegal international, 26, is set to undergo a medical before Tuesday’s transfer deadline, with the deal structured as a guaranteed £60m plus a further £5m in add-ons.
City’s move for Ndiaye came together quickly once an £80m bid for Gakpo was turned down by Liverpool on Monday.
With City already in contact with Everton over a separate deal involving Jack Grealish, talks over Ndiaye progressed rapidly – and swiftly overtook interest from Tottenham, who had appeared close to signing the winger.
The deal hands the City head coach a forward with genuine positional versatility as he continues to reshape his squad following the club’s summer rebuild.
‘Everyone will look back and ask how City were allowed to do it’
The fee has drawn strong praise from former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, who used his role as a Sky Sports pundit to argue City have found a rare bargain in a transfer market where fees for unproven talent regularly climb past £80m.
“I think this is one of those transfers everyone will look back at in a year and ask how Manchester City were allowed to do it,” Carragher said.
“£65m sounds like a lot of money until you look at what £65m buys you now. We’re discussing £80m, £90m, £100m for players who still need time to prove they can do it in the Premier League.
“City have bought someone who’s already doing it here. Ndiaye can play off the left, off the right, come inside, carry the ball, press, work without it. You’re not buying him and then spending six months finding out whether English football suits him.
“And that’s what I envy about it. There isn’t really an experiment. Put him on either wing and tell him to play football.
“People will look at the glamorous names City have signed over the years and probably won’t get as excited about this one. I would.
“Because if Ndiaye goes there and becomes even 20% better than the player we’ve watched at Everton, £65m won’t be the number people question.
“They’ll be asking why nobody paid it before City did.”
A frenetic finish to the window for both clubs
Ndiaye’s move brings to an end a whirlwind few days in which he was strongly linked with a switch to Tottenham as part of a deal that would have taken Richarlison to Everton in the opposite direction.
That deal collapsed after the Brazil forward posted an emotional statement on Instagram distancing himself from the negotiations, leaving Spurs to turn their attention elsewhere and clearing the way for City to step in.
Should the medical go smoothly, Ndiaye will become the latest attacking recruit to arrive at the Etihad Stadium this summer.
If Carragher is proven right, one of the shrewder pieces of business in a market where value for money has become increasingly hard to find.
