Well, this is something to wake up to. According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, overnight Tottenham Hotspur and Everton reached an agreement to essentially swap attackers — bringing Ilman Ndiaye to Spurs, with Richarlison returning to Everton heading the other direction. This is NOT a true swap deal; these will be treated as separate transfers.
🚨 EXCL: Agreement in principle reached for Iliman Ndiaye to join Tottenham Hotspur from Everton & Richarlison to move opposite way in separate transfers. Deals for 26yo #EFC attacker + 29yo #THFC forward subject to personal terms / medicals @TheAthleticFChttps://t.co/R0KGDjBlKc
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 30, 2026In yesterday’s post-match press conference, Spurs head coach Roberto De Zerbi essentially told us that Richarlison asked to leave Spurs for a new challenge. I just didn’t realize it would all go down so quickly. According to Paul Joyce of The Times, Ndiaye will cost Spurs about £60m, with Richarlison heading the other direction for a fee of £35m, making the outlay a lot lower than most transfers that Spurs have brought in this summer.
Spurs set to pay £60 m for Ndiaye and Everton £35m for Richarlison.
Kenny Tete the new right back target in £9m deal from Fulham. https://t.co/X9wWcVROqg
Ndiaye, 26, is a French fooballer who has declared for and plays international football for Senegal. He’s been used primarily on the left wing for Everton, but can also play centrally or on the right. He’s NOT a striker but could be implemented as a #10 if needed. Ndiaye likes to be on the ball and frequently prefers to take on and dribble past his defenders, which frequently turns into touches in the penalty area and shots. He likes to cut inside from the flank and is also comfortable receiving the ball deeper as a ball progression outlet. His acquisition means that Spurs will essentially only have three first team strikers on the books — Omar Marmoush, Dominic Solanke, and Dane Scarlett — but Ndiaye will fortify Spurs’ attacking midfield options. His preferred position at Everton will put him in competition with Mathys Tel and Savinho, but his positional flexibility means he could be an asset elsewhere as well. He’s also a willing presser and capable of putting in defensive work to make tackles. Despite maybe hinting otherwise yesterday, I’m kind of a fan of this deal.
As for Richarlison… well, I’m sad. He’s probably my favorite Spurs player (non-Sonny edition) of this era. He’s a vibes guy who always seemed to lift the mood, and it’s clear he loved Spurs. But it’s just as clear that he’s not happy here anymore, and as his career starts to wind down a return to the club that lifted him to stardom feels like the closing of the circle. Everton fans love him as much as we do, and I can’t begrudge them, or him, this move. It feels like the right choice.
What do you think of this deal? Can Spurs get it across the line before the window closes on September 2?
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