European club considers bidding now for Sheffield United's star name

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After leading United to promotion last season, Paul Heckingbottom has insisted it is vital Ndiaye remains at the club for the entirety of next season as his squad attempts to establish a foothold in the Premier League.

Although owner Prince Abdullah bin Musa’ad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud recently echoed the manager’s opinion, saying he is prepared to try and resist any hostile bids, many within the game believe some members of United’s hierarchy could be tempted to cash in now if Ndiaye refuses to sign a new contract and a suitable bid is received.

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They include officials at the Stade Velodrome, who are aware of the 23-year-old’s desire to play for them at some stage of his career having spent a period in their youth system as a youngster.

Marseille contemplated the idea of submitting an approach for Ndiaye earlier this summer, with Everton and Tottenham Hotspur among those also monitoring his position in South Yorkshire.

However, the French giants decided against it because they had yet to appoint a new head coach following Igor Tudor’s departure. That vacancy has now been filled by Marcelino, previously of Valencia and Athletic Bilbao.

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In order to protect their investment and strengthen United’s position regarding a player who scored 15 goals and claimed 11 assists last term, Heckingbottom would like to see Ndiaye accept a new deal which raises his salary in return for a ‘sensible’ release clause being written into the paperwork. However, despite his modest wage, it could make more financial sense for Ndiaye to allow his contract with United to expire before considering his options.

Heckingbottom is said to enjoy an excellent relationship with the attacker, who represented his country at last year’s World Cup in Qatar, after previously working together on United’s development programme. That has reassured coaching staff that, even if Ndiaye does choose to hold tight, his commitment to the team remains strong and resolute.

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