Top News

Iliman Ndiaye has explained why he turned down Tottenham to sign for Manchester City, saying his desire to play Champions League football worked against Spurs.

The Senegal winger completed a £60m transfer from Everton to City on deadline day, but only after Tottenham had been the first club to make a bid for him.

Spurs were in talks over a £60m move for Ndiaye, with Richarlison heading back to Everton for £35m in a separate deal, but once City entered the picture, the former Sheffield United player decided against joining a side that had finished 17th in each of the past two seasons.

“For me it was always going to be City,” he said. “I wanted Champions League and to play for one of the best teams in the world. I’m not saying Tottenham is not, but when Manchester City comes in, you don’t say no.

“This is where I feel I belong. I’ve worked hard to reach this stage. When I was speaking with my wife, I told her that if I had to leave Everton, it would be for somewhere I knew I would be playing Champions League.”

Ndiaye said he also spoke to City manager Enzo Maresca before completing the move, adding: “He’s someone who admired me and as soon as they came in, I had only one direction where I wanted to go.”

Ndiaye made his City debut in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Coventry, and although he was taken off in the closing stages, he eased concerns over an injury by saying it was cramp.