Iliman Ndiaye’s £65m City move brings unexpected boost for Sheffield United

Iliman Ndiaye’s £65m transfer from Everton to Manchester City could provide Sheffield United with an unexpected financial boost, thanks to a clause included in the deal that took the forward to Marseille three years ago.

Nearly seven years after Sheffield United signed Ndiaye from non-league side Boreham Wood, the 26-year-old has completed a remarkable journey by joining Manchester City for a reported £65m.

For Sheffield United supporters, Ndiaye’s rise may bring back plenty of “what if” thoughts. The Blades came close to keeping him following their promotion to the Premier League in 2023, with the player initially looking set to extend his stay at Bramall Lane.

However, Ndiaye ultimately changed his mind and United found themselves accepting a substantial offer from Marseille, the club he supported as a boy. He spent just one season in France before returning to England, where he impressed during his first campaign with Everton.

Interestingly, Ndiaye’s story has now come full circle. In 2023, he and Erling Haaland featured on the cover of Sheffield United’s programme for their FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City at Wembley. The pair are now teammates, with Haaland among those to welcome Ndiaye to City on social media.

There could also be good news financially for Sheffield United.

The Blades are understood to have negotiated a clause into Ndiaye’s transfer to Marseille that gave them a percentage of any profit the French club would make from a future sale. That clause appeared unlikely to benefit United when Marseille later sold Ndiaye to Everton for approximately the same amount they had originally paid for him.

However, Marseille also negotiated their own sell-on arrangement with Everton. With Ndiaye now moving to Manchester City for £65m, that clause is believed to have pushed Marseille into making a profit on the player.

As a result, Sheffield United could also be entitled to a share of the money generated by the latest transfer, depending on the precise figures and terms involved.

The exact amount the Blades could receive remains unclear, but with the club currently attempting to operate under tighter financial conditions at Bramall Lane, any additional income would be welcomed.

Ndiaye, meanwhile, has described his move to Manchester City as the opportunity he has always dreamed of.

“I’ve worked my whole life for an opportunity like this,” he said, having also attracted interest from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal and Tottenham before City made their move.

“City are one of the best clubs in the world and I’ve seen them win everything as I’ve grown up. To be able to write my own chapter in a story that special is the chance of a lifetime and I’m determined to grab it with both hands.”