Liverpool enter 'direct talks' with £75m sensation

Liverpool have been linked with a whole host of players during the 2025-26 summer transfer window.

The Anfield outfit still have a lot of changes to make to their ranks but, now that we're getting to the end of the window, it feels like it's now or never for some of their deals.

Three new players have been added to Andoni Iraola's ranks at the moment but, everyone who knows Liverpool can tell that another three or four are probably needed if they want to start challenging for the Premier League title.

A couple of players seem to be more likely to join than others but, with only a few weeks until the window slams shut, Iraola and Richard Hughes need to get themselves into gear soon.

And now, that seems to be exactly what they're about to do.

Liverpool have had 'direct talks' with Iliman Ndiaye's representatives about a potential move

It goes without saying that Liverpool's attack needs an upgrade or two.

Mohamed Salah has left and, with Hugo Ekitike also side-lined due to injury, their depth and quality among their forward line is lacking.

Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye are the closest to joining Liverpool but, with no agreements made for fees or personal terms yet, neither of them can be classed as done deals.

However, just so Liverpool don't end up in a similar situation as they did with Yan Diomande earlier in the summer, they also need a few more options that they can turn towards in case their moves for Barcola or Mbaye fail.

So, the fact that Caught Offside have now shared that 'direct talks' have been held between Liverpool and Everton's Iliman Ndiaye is rather exciting.

"Intriguingly, sources in the industry confirm that Liverpool’s interest in Ndiaye is genuine as well, even though it’s extremely rare for the Reds to do business with their Merseyside rivals," they wrote.

"This might suggest some concern from Liverpool about getting a deal done for Barcola, or it could be that their interest is slightly more geared towards putting pressure on PSG to lower their asking price for a player they know wants to leave.

"While I can’t confirm the motives behind this, I am told that Liverpool are one of the clubs to engage in direct talks with those around Ndiaye, so there’s every chance that this could develop into something more concrete."

Iliman Ndiaye would be a crazy deal for Liverpool to confirm

Of course, Everton would only ever sell their star player to Liverpool if it was a fee that they simply couldn't turn down.

The same report from Caught Offside states that the Toffees' price tag for the Senegal international is £75 million.

But, obviously for Liverpool, that would be considerably higher.

The attacker can play on either wing as well as a number 10 and, with the vast amount of Premier League experience he had under his belt, he'd easily be able to fit into Iraola's plans.

Of course, his numbers haven't been as solid as Salah's yet but, after getting nine goal contributions last term, he's already almost half way there.

Other clubs such as Manchester United, Chelsea and even Arsenal all obviously have a better chance of signing him and, if David Moyes demanded over £100 million for the 26-year-old, the Reds wouldn't be able to sanction that.

But, the fact that Liverpool are even being mentioned as a potential destination for Ndiaye is exciting.

Obviously, there's no knowing how things could end up panning out but, if a deal for Ndiaye could be struck, it would be a rather impressive move by Liverpool.