The step Iliman Ndiaye will not take with Sheffield United this summer
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With a number of clubs including Marseille considering whether to try and sign the attacker this summer, sources close to Paul Heckingbottom’s squad last night insisted Ndiaye has no plans to submit a transfer request in order to try and force a move this summer.
Instead, although the situation could change depending upon the type of proposals he might receive, the 23-year-old is happy to try and help United establish a foothold in the Premier League after winning promotion from the Championship. Members of Ndiaye’s inner circle, including his career advisors, are said to believe that playing regularly at the highest level will only increase their bargaining power when he becomes a free agent in less than 12 months’ time.
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Hide AdThat viewpoint, which will serve to encourage Heckingbottom, places even greater pressure on Marseille, Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and the other teams monitoring Ndiaye’s situation as they contemplate how best to secure his services. Bidding now would require them to make both Ndiaye and United lucrative offers. The path towards the youngster’s signature will be clearer when his present agreement expires. But waiting until then could leave them exposed if others, with even deeper pockets, enter the race and tempt Ndiaye with a lucrative salary package.
In order to try and slice through the confusion, Heckingbottom has proposed a compromise whereby United would extend Ndiaye’s terms and improve his wages but insert a sensible release clause into the deal.
However, despite his relationship with the Senegal international, there is a feeling behind the scenes that Ndiaye’s agent would prefer to sit back and let the situation play out. Sander Berge, whose contract also expires on the same date as Ndiaye’s, is understood to have taken a similar view on his position in South Yorkshire.
After progressing through United’s development programme, Ndiaye scored 15 goals and claimed 11 assists as United regained their top-flight status. Barring injury or illness, he is certain to be named in Heckingbottom’s starting eleven when Crystal Palace visit United on August 12th during the first round of the new campaign.