Arsenal have been told they missed a major opportunity by failing to pursue Iliman Ndiaye before the Senegal international completed a £65 million move from Everton to Manchester City.
Former Arsenal forward Jay Bothroyd described the transfer as an “absolute steal” and argued that Mikel Arteta’s side should have moved for the 26-year-old earlier in the summer.
Arsenal criticised over Iliman Ndiaye transfer
“Arsenal should have gone for Ndiaye early doors,” Bothroyd said while discussing the clubs that impressed him most in the transfer window.
Manchester City agreed a deal worth £60m up front, with a further £5m available in add-ons. Ndiaye has signed a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium after emerging as one of Everton’s most influential attacking players.
City’s move came after their pursuit of Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo failed, with an £80m bid for the Netherlands international rejected. Tottenham had also been in talks to sign Ndiaye before Pep Guardiola’s side intervened.
Bothroyd acknowledged Arsenal’s decision to sign Vinicius Junior, who he called arguably the best left-winger in the world, but questioned whether the Premier League champions had done enough to strengthen their attacking options.
“Yes, we went for Vinicius Junior who’s arguably the best left-winger in the world, but when you look at the value for money for Ndiaye, I feel like £65million is an absolute steal,” he said.
Bothroyd also praised Manchester City’s wider recruitment, saying their new arrivals could make an immediate impact and provide greater depth across the squad.
“Man City, for me, had the best window. They got in top, top players straight away that can come in, hit the ground running. And they’ve got depth now,” he said.
Ndiaye made 74 appearances for Everton after joining the club from Marseille in 2024, scoring 21 goals. His departure was completed alongside Jack Grealish’s season-long return to Goodison Park in a separate deal.
The forward said he had spent his career working towards the chance to represent a club competing for the biggest honours and described Manchester City as the “perfect fit” for his attacking style.
Arsenal’s attacking options questioned
Arsenal’s need for reinforcements in the final third had been highlighted during last season, when injuries affected Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard at different stages of the campaign.
The club have also seen Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus leave the Emirates Stadium, leaving Arteta with fewer established options in attack than he had previously available.
Bothroyd believes Ndiaye could have added balance and Premier League experience to the Arsenal side, particularly from the left flank.
“They’ve got so much depth going forward now. It was a great signing,” he added.
Manchester City will now hope Ndiaye can translate his Everton form into a squad already strengthened by several significant summer additions, while Arsenal may have to wait until January before revisiting their attacking options.
