Al Hilal have reached an agreement in principle with Iliman Ndiaye over a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia, but still face a major hurdle in persuading Everton to sell the Senegal forward this summer.
The Saudi Pro League side have settled the outline of a contract with the 26-year-old, with Saudi outlet aawsat reporting that Ndiaye has accepted a proposed salary of around €316,000 per week.
However, no deal is close to completion, as Everton are described as unwilling to part with the attacker easily during the current transfer window.
Everton hold out for major fee
Talks between the clubs are ongoing, but Everton’s hierarchy are maintaining a hard line over their valuation of Ndiaye.
The Toffees are demanding a fee in excess of €80m before they will seriously consider a sale, a stance that is expected to make negotiations with Al Hilal difficult.
Africafoot reports that Everton’s minimum asking price during this summer window is at least $80m, reinforcing the Premier League club’s determination not to lose one of their key assets on the cheap.
Al Hilal must now decide whether they are prepared to meet those financial conditions, or risk walking away from a player they have already convinced on personal terms.
Long contract and market value
Ndiaye is under contract at Goodison Park until the summer of 2029, putting Everton under no pressure to cash in quickly and strengthening their bargaining position.
The Senegal international’s market value is currently estimated at around €55m, meaning Everton’s valuation significantly exceeds that figure.
In England, Ndiaye is reported to earn €2,795,582 per year, equivalent to 1,817,128,300 FCFA, under his existing Everton deal.
That gap between his present salary and the contract tabled by Al Hilal underlines the scale of the personal agreement reached with the player, but does not change the fact that the Premier League club control his immediate future.
Key days ahead for Al Hilal pursuit
Al Hilal, one of the dominant forces in the Saudi Pro League, have made Ndiaye a priority target and have now cleared the first major obstacle by securing his consent to join.
The next phase of talks will focus on whether the Riyadh club are prepared to raise their offer to match Everton’s demands or attempt to negotiate the price down from the €80m-plus figure and the $80m minimum cited in reports.
With Ndiaye tied to a long-term contract and Everton insistent on their financial terms, the coming days are expected to be decisive in determining whether the move goes through or collapses.
For now, Ndiaye has signalled his willingness to leave Goodison Park for Saudi Arabia, but the final decision rests firmly with Everton and their response to Al Hilal’s next move in negotiations.
