Sheffield United sold Iliman Ndiaye for just £20 million this week.
That’s according to journalist Alan Nixon, who has reported that Marseille snapped up the attacking midfielder for £16 million plus £4m in add-ons.
Ndiaye claimed a whopping 14 goals and 10 assists last season as the Blades won automatic promotion to the Premier League.
With only one year left on his contract at Bramall Lane, the 23-year-old had attracted plenty of interest this summer and Everton were one club that were said to be interested in snapping him up.
It had looked likely that Ndiaye could end up at either Marseille or Goodison Park, with the Toffees handed the opportunity to hijack his move to France when the deal looked on the verge of collapsing.
However, Sean Dyche’s side opted against making an offer for Ndiaye after The Sun claimed Sheffield United would demand £30m to part ways with their star man.
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Marseille went onto sign Ndiaye after he turned down a new contract in Yorkshire, while the French giants went on to snap him up for around £10m less than his original price tag.
Iliman Ndiaye would have been a very good signing for Everton
Iliman Ndiaye could definitely be the one that got away for Everton.
The Senegal international was excellent last season and it would have been a huge surprise if he hadn’t continued his impressive goal record into the top flight. Ndiaye could have certainly kept Sheffield United up and it could have been the same if he had moved to Merseyside.
The £20m fee also seems affordable for the Toffees, who are closing in on a £15m deal for Youssef Chermiti this week. They are also said to be interested in Kelechi Iheanacho and Che Adams, who could also cost a similar amount as the Sporting Lisbon forward.