‘Excited’ – £15m Premier League transfer announced after Newcastle United U-turn

Everton have completed the signing of Iliman Ndiaye – just over a week after talks with Newcastle United to sign Yankuba Minteh collapsed.

Goodison Park was Minteh’s preferred destination having quickly agreed personal terms over a move. However, a transfer couldn’t be finalised after the Magpies pulled out of a reciprocal deal involving striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin due to his reported £37million asking price.

Minteh went on to join Brighton & Hove Albion in a £33m deal. The fee, coupled with Elliot Anderson’s £35m switch to Nottingham Forest, is understood to have prevented Newcastle from breaching Premier League Profitability and Sustainability (PSR).

Everton, meanwhile, has brought Ndiaye back to England just one year after he left Sheffield United. The 24-year-old has penned a five-year deal with Sean Dyche’s side paying £15m for his services.

“I am so pleased to be an Everton player,” Ndiaye told evertonfc.com. “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] and the manager both spoke to me and made me feel wanted. My Senegal teammate Idrissa 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 the fans out their seats. I want to score goals and get assists but I also like to work hard. I love running, chasing the ball, getting the team high up the pitch. As a striker, you’re the first defender. I love doing that bit.

“I’m so excited. 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.”