Everton are interested in 22-year-old Cameroon international Jackson Tchatchoua, with Italian side Hellas Verona wanting about 8m euros (£6.8m) for the defender. (TuttoMercatoWeb - in Italian), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column
Joe Bradshaw
BBC Sport Senior Journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesThis time last year, Iliman Ndiaye was arguably one of the hottest properties in English football.
Fresh from an outstanding Championship campaign firing Sheffield United to promotion, he was highly tipped to take the Premier League by storm, but instead exchanged Bramall Lane for Marseille's Stade Velodrome on the eve of the 2023-24 season.
With that, he disappeared from this country's consciousness, taking with him - some might say - the Blades' hopes of competing in the top flight.
Now, he's back in England, allowed to depart after an underwhelming return of four goals and five assists in the south of France.
So what have Everton signed? The thrilling talent that tore up Championship defences or a player who seemed to wilt in the glare of the French top flight?
Well, it is probably more apt to think how he will fit in at Goodison. On countless occasions last season, Sean Dyche bemoaned his side's inability to turn expected goals into actual ones (55 expected to 40 in reality).
Ndiaye should definitely help with that, offering a more creative alternative to Abdoulaye Doucoure in the number 10 role.
In fact, his stats show he is far more effective in that withdrawn, second-striker role, bagging seven goals in 13 games for Sheffield United in 2022-23, as opposed to just three in 26 when operating up top for the Blades.
Similarly, at Marseille, he was deployed all across the frontline but only once in his most profitable position. Along with only completing 90 minutes twice for the French giants, perhaps this helps explain his paltry goal contributions return.
A prolific dribbler, he will offer a fresh threat and sprinkle of stardust in an area where Everton are well stocked with players more renowned for their physical and defensive attributes.
He also works really hard, a quality that will no doubt quickly endear him to both Dyche and Toffees supporters.
When he left Bramall Lane in August 2023, BBC Radio Sheffield's Rob Staton wrote: "As a talent, he is virtually irreplaceable - you'd have to spend tens of millions."
Given Everton's struggles for value in the transfer market, the fact Ndiaye's stock has fallen over the past 12 months means it is possible the Blues have snapped up a welcome bargain.
Image source, Press EyeGraham will initially join up with Everton Under-18s
Linfield teenager Braiden Graham has formally completed his move to Premier League side Everton.
The 16-year-old forward will initially join up with the under-18s at Goodison Park, a squad coached by former England and Everton full-back Leighton Baines.
In March 2023, Graham became Linfield's youngest ever player when he came off the bench against Dungannon Swifts at 15 years and 137 days old.
He was a regular at Windsor Park last season, scoring a crucial equaliser against Larne in the quarter-finals of the League Cup as Linfield went on to retain the trophy.
Graham has represented Northern Ireland Under-19s, scoring for Gareth McAuley's side in a 2-2 friendly draw against Slovakia last month.
Last month another Linfield teenager, Aodhan Doherty, made the move to England, signing with Blackburn Rovers.
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your thoughts on the signing of Iliman Ndiaye from Marseille for a fee of about £15m.
Here is a flavour of your responses:
Mark: I asked a friend who is a lifelong Sheffield United fan and he was glowing about Ndiaye. Reckons he's the best player he's seen in a Blades shirt. That'll do for me.
Ian: A good signing. Hopefully he’ll create some more chances than what we did last season and score a few himself. Can’t rely on others to get us goals!
Mike: He didn’t do well in France - why have we bought him?
Chris: Just what is needed. Young but experienced. We have Neal Maupay coming back from his loan spell at Brentford where he has learned where the net is again, now a good young holding midfielder and a couple of defenders wouldn't go amiss.
Andy: I'm underwhelmed, to be honest. He's not shown anything really at Marseille, but hopefully Kevin Thelwell and Sean Dyche know something nobody else does and he turns into a productive and valuable player for us.
Bill: Has to be considered as a plus. Adds versatility and dribbling skills to a forward line that has been lacking these qualities - no offence to Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Duncan: It's very important that we add goals to the team and with his record, we might get at least two out of him this season. Obviously most of us don't know what he's like but his record seems underwhelming.
Image source, Getty ImagesIliman Ndiaye has said he is the type of player who likes to "get fans out of their seats" after his move from Marseille to Everton was confirmed on Wednesday.
The 24-year-old striker told Everton's club media: "The main reasons I wanted to join were how big the club is, its history and the part I can play in helping the team in the forward direction it is going in. I'm so excited and can't wait to get going.
"Kevin [Thelwell, director of football] and the manager [Sean Dyche] both spoke to me and made me feel wanted. My Senegal team-mate Idrissa [Gana Gueye] also played a part and spoke highly of the club and a lot of good things.
"As a player, I like to dribble, show skills and get fans out of their seats. I want to score goals and get assists but I also like to work hard. I love running, chasing the ball and getting the team high up the pitch. As a striker, you're the first defender. I love doing that bit.
"I want to come in and carry on from the team's progress last season. I feel like I'll be ready to help and I just want to give it my all to get this club higher up the table."
Senegal international Ndiaye scored four goals in 46 appearances for Marseille last season, having moved to the French club from Sheffield United last summer.
Image source, Getty ImagesEverton have signed former Sheffield United forward Iliman Ndiaye from French club Marseille for a fee of about £15m.
The 24-year-old Senegal international has agreed a five-year contract.
Manager Sean Dyche said: "Iliman adds versatility to our attacking options and strengthens our forward line as we look to build on the progress we made as a team last season in terms of chances created.
"He is still young but has experience at European and international level and we feel he will be a really positive addition to our squad."
Toffees fans - are you excited by the signing? How do you think he will perform at Goodison Park?
Manchester United would make another move for Jarrad Branthwaite if Everton drop their asking price, but the Toffees are under no financial pressure to sell the 22-year-old England defender. (Sky Sports), external
Everton, Brentford, Brighton and Southampton are interested in Millwall's 18-year-old English midfielder Josh Stephenson. (Football Insider), external
Image source, Getty ImagesEngland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford on their dramatic extra-time win over Slovakia at Gelsenkirchen on Sunday, which has set up a quarter-final against Switzerland on Saturday: “It was about getting over the line, showing that resilience and mentality.
“It's my fourth major [tournament] now and you learn a lot from the past, that is what we can take into these next few games."
On getting the win: "It was a lot of relief, but emotion - you know how passionate I am.
"Kyle Walker going up for that header and it killed the game off – it was a nice moment.
"A lot of work to do and we want to make the nation proud.
"Keep believing in us and we will give 100% for the badge all the time."
Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport Football News Reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesPremier League clubs have been preparing for what has been described as the 'unofficial transfer deadline day' on Sunday.
To avoid charges and possible points deductions clubs must be compliant with profit and sustainability rules (PSR) - and 30 June is a key date.
Officially the summer transfer window does not close until Friday, 30 August but, as Nottingham Forest discovered to their cost last season, some Premier League clubs need to get business done now.
Villa and Everton have done business with each other, Lewis Dobbin moving to Villa Park and Tim Iroegbunam joining the Toffees, each for reported fees of about £9m.
Villa have also sold Omari Kellyman to Chelsea for £19m two years after signing him from Derby for £600,000. The midfielder made six appearances for Villa.
Ian Maatsen, meanwhile, Chelsea’s defender who spent the second half of last season on loan at Borussia Dortmund, has moved to Villa for £35m.
Douglas Luiz's players-plus-cash transfer from Villa to Juventus is expected to go through soon.
Villa had medicals booked in for Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea this week, while Luiz's was scheduled for Las Vegas on Thursday as he is away with Brazil for the Copa America.
Leicester - who are already facing one charge for an alleged PSR breach - were put under a transfer embargo by the EFL in March but that ended once they became a Premier League club, following the top flight’s AGM earlier this month.
Midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall represents their best sellable asset, given he came through the club’s academy and will generate pure profit.
Chelsea have had a bid rejected but talks are ongoing, and Brighton also have an interest.
Everton also rejected a £35m bid from Manchester United for defender Jarrad Branthwaite earlier this month.
Villa reportedly turned down £20m plus Giovani lo Celso from Tottenham for Jacob Ramsey, while Southampton and West Ham are discussing a move which would see Saints defender Kyle Walker-Peters move to the Hammers and midfielder Flynn Downes head in the other direction.
Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesEverton are strongly interested in signing winger Jaden Philogene from Championship side Hull.
Philogene, 22, scored 12 goals in 33 games for the Tigers last season and reports suggest a deal could cost up to £16m.
The Englishman seems to be in demand having been linked with a move to La Liga giants Barcelona earlier this month.
The Toffees are also closing in on the signing of Iliman Ndiaye from Marseille.
Meanwhile, Everton defender Ben Godfrey arrived in Milan on Friday for a medical with Atalanta before a £10m move to the Serie A side.
Image source, Getty ImagesManagers will always outwardly support their players on the international stage, but you can be sure one or two will privately be hoping for an early exit from Euro 2024 for a few of their star men.
International tournament summers disrupt pre-season for managers.
Various players from different nations return to their clubs at different times, sometimes with injuries, holidays get postponed and rescheduled. As a general rule, the best players are more likely to play for the best nations and therefore go further in international tournaments.
The Euro 2024 final will take place on 14 July. Over half of Premier League clubs already have a pre-season fixture scheduled within 10 days of that.
Of English clubs, unsurprisingly, Premier League champions Manchester City have comfortably the most players in the Euro 2024 knockouts. The best represented Premier League side at the start of the competition have a full line-up of 11 stars still in Germany.
They are followed by the rest of last season's top three - Arsenal and Liverpool - who have eight and seven respectively. Manchester United also have seven while Brentford - aided by their healthy Danish contingent - have six and Crystal Palace five.
Championship play-off winners Southampton's three representatives were all eliminated at the group stage, while fellow newly promoted side Ipswich have not seen their summer impacted at all by players at Euro 2024.
Of the Championship-winning Leicester squad, goalkeeper Mads Hermansen and defenders Wout Faes and Jannik Vestergaard remain in Germany - as does Turkey's Yunus Akgun, who spent last season on loan with the Foxes.
This data was provided by Opta and counts the clubs where players finished at the end of the 2023-24 season.
Image source, PA MediaFormer Everton skipper Phil Jagielka would love to see current captain Seamus Coleman lead the Toffees out when they move into their new stadium in 2025.
Coleman, 35, signed a new one-year deal to play a 16th season with the Blues - the last they will play at Goodison Park before moving to their new home at Bramley Moore Dock for the 2025-26 campaign.
Jagielka, who played alongside the Irishman for 10 seasons, said: "Coleman has played an important role in helping Everton through their struggles of recent years, notably last season's double points deduction.
"He's been a massive part of the glue that has kept this club together. When times are tough off the pitch, you need people in and around the changing room who have to take it on the chin and galvanise the team.
"He deserves to be that person leading Everton out into the new stadium. That would be a lovely cherry on the cake for him.
"He's dedicated a lot of his life and his career to Everton and hopefully he gets to do that."
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your views on which Euros player would be a good fit for Everton.
Here are a few of your suggestions:
Neil: The Slovenian Bijol looks like a Dyche centre-back and Seiwald, the Austria midfielder, has also caught the eye.
Dave: Everyone else would want them, but Asllani from Albania looks a great player and from Georgia, Kvaratskhelia and the goalkeeper Mamardashvili would be great additions for not too much of an outlay. Think of the money we'd make on letters on replica jerseys alone.
Joseph: Any of the Georgia team, their work ethics are Dyche-like. Yaremchuk looks like a decent target man, someone with pace like Bakayoko would be excellent.
Jameson: Baumgartner (Austria), Stanciu and Dragus (Romania), Sesko (Slovenia). Bargains to be had, if only we had the money.
Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesRepresentatives from Everton's prospective new owners have visited the city of Liverpool this week as they continue their due diligence on the club.
A team from the US-based Friedkin Group have been to Goodison Park, the new stadium on Bramley-Moore Dock and the club's offices as their takeover edges closer.
BBC Sport understands chairman Dan Friedkin, who owns Roma, and son Ryan, president of French club Cannes, were not in attendance.
Last week, the Friedkin Group were granted a period of exclusivity by Toffees owner Farhad Moshiri as they aim to purchase the British-Iranian businessman's 94% stake in Everton.
The due diligence process involves a thorough, forensic analysis of the business to see how resilient it is and whether the group still want to proceed to complete the deal.
Although a majority purchase of the club is still not guaranteed, BBC Sport understands there is cautious optimism that it remains on track and completion can be achieved within a timescale of weeks rather than months.
They have already taken steps by making a £200m cash injection which includes paying off a £158m loan and contributing to short-term running costs.
The Friedkin Group will analyse the club's finances as well as examining the legal side including contracts that the club have signed, sponsorship deals and cost of the new stadium.
On the sporting side, the firm will assess the strength of the squad and the training ground to see what sort of investment needs to be made.
Bayern Munich are set to move for 22-year-old Everton and Belgium midfielder Amadou Onana, after becoming frustrated in their efforts to sign 28-year-old Portugal midfielder Joao Palhinha from Fulham. (Liverpool Echo), external
Atalanta have made a £10m bid for Everton's Ben Godfrey, while another unnamed club has offered £15m for the 26-year-old England defender. (Athletic - subscription required), external
Finally Everton are close to signing 27-year-old Nigeria midfielder Wilfred Ndidi on a free transfer when his Leicester City contract expires next week. (Football Insider), external
As the Euros group stage comes to a close, how's your scouting report gone?
Who has caught your eye as a perfect signing for Everton?
And how would they fit into Sean Dyche's starting XI?
Image source, Getty ImagesWinning Euro 2024 will be "all that matters" to Everton and England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, says former shot-stopper Joe Hart.
The 30-year-old recorded his 11th clean sheet in 22 international tournament appearances for the Three Lions on Tuesday night and moved clear of Peter Shilton to claim the record for most tournament games without conceding.
Earlier, in England’s opening match of the competition, Pickford became the most capped English goalkeeper at major international tournaments after featuring in his side's 1-1 draw against Denmark.
He made his senior international debut in 2017 and has made 63 appearances to date, keeping 31 clean sheets in the process.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast, Hart said: "Credit to him. That's a great achievement but I'm almost definite that Jordan's mindset is going to be, if he didn't keep a clean sheet and England won this tournament that would be all that matters to him.
"Clean sheets means it gives your team a chance, but now with the caps and clean sheets he has got to his name in major tournaments he is just going to want the medal round his neck and have something to show for it."
We asked for your views on Ashley Young signing a one-year contract extension at Everton.
Here are some of your responses:
Chris: Not so sure. He was full of errors last season. We should be looking to 25-28-year-olds who want to be part of the Everton narrative and will be in future years at our new ground. Maybe Dyche is looking for experience in our defence with Coleman injured a lot. We need to be buying youthful experience now.
Spider: Ashley had a good season, bags of experience and versatility. So another season is a no-brainer. A lot of clubs would want him, so it's good business in my opinion.
Tony: Too old and a liability. We should have got rid at the end of the season and kept the younger squad players.
Stephen: Ashley Young is a liability, he will concede fouls and penalties costing us points. He has a wealth of experience but his time is past and extending his contract is a mistake. Instead of wasting money on him, we should spend it on a young back-up for Mykolenko.
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Everton boss Frank Lampard says there was a difficult "feeling" at the club when he joined.
The 46-year-old became the Toffees' manager following the sacking of Rafael Benitez in January 2022 when Everton were 16th in the table. He guided them to safety that season with one game remaining.
However, the club found themselves struggling in a relegation battle once again the following campaign and Lampard was sacked just under a year after joining, with the team in the relegation zone.
In addition, Everton have had a number of off-field difficulties in recent times.
"At Everton I was probably at the back end of a lot going on at the club, so it wasn't just about what was going on on the pitch but about off the pitch and lots of conversations," Lampard told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"When I went to Everton it was hard to view it from the outside because I saw some talent in the squad and I thought 'OK, let's go in' and I was really excited to go and work with this huge club.
"But when I got there, very quickly I learned it was less about the playing squad - it needed work, of course it did - but it was the feeling. It was like the club was in a state of, or had the feeling of, 'oh no, what is coming here? We're going to get relegated'.
"I'm not speaking badly about them, you felt it, it permeated into the building, into the squad, into the players, the staff and I felt it was up to me to try to lift that, to go in there and say 'come on, we have to fight' - and the Evertonians proved to be very good fighters."
Listen to the exclusive interview on BBC Sounds
