Iliman Ndiaye has revealed exactly why he chose Manchester City over Tottenham, with Champions League football and the opportunity to work under Enzo Maresca playing a decisive role in his transfer decision.
The Senegal international completed a move from Everton to Manchester City on deadline day after Tottenham had also shown serious interest in signing him.
City eventually secured the winger in a deal worth an initial £60 million, with the total package potentially rising to £65 million.
For Ndiaye, however, the decision was not simply about money.
The 26-year-old wanted to play at the highest level possible.
And when Manchester City arrived, he knew where he wanted to go.
Ndiaye wanted Champions League football
Ndiaye’s explanation for choosing Manchester City is unlikely to surprise City supporters.
The winger made it clear that Champions League football was one of his biggest ambitions.
After establishing himself in the Premier League with Everton, Ndiaye wanted his next move to take him to the biggest stage in European football.
Manchester City could offer exactly that.
Tottenham, meanwhile, had also been interested, but their recent struggles in the Premier League ultimately made the choice easier for the Senegalese attacker.
“For me it was always going to be City,” Ndiaye explained.
“I wanted Champions League and playing at one of the best teams in the world.”
Those comments underline the ambition behind the transfer.
Ndiaye was not simply looking for a new club. He wanted a club capable of competing for the biggest trophies in Europe.
Manchester City ticked that box.
Tottenham were beaten when City entered the race
The transfer story is particularly interesting because Tottenham had already been working on a deal for Ndiaye.
Spurs had been discussing a move worth around £60 million with Everton.
However, Manchester City’s late intervention changed everything.
According to the reports surrounding the transfer, Tottenham’s pursuit was closely connected to other business involving Richarlison and Everton.
When City made their interest clear, Ndiaye’s preference became apparent.
The winger had no hesitation about choosing the Etihad.
He had already spent time developing his career at Sheffield United, Marseille and Everton. His next objective was to compete regularly at the highest level.
Manchester City represented that opportunity.
The move therefore became about much more than simply changing clubs.
It represented the next stage of Ndiaye’s career.
“When Manchester City comes through, you don’t say no”
Perhaps the strongest indication of Ndiaye’s excitement came when he explained what happened after City made their approach.
The Senegal star admitted that once Manchester City entered the picture, his decision was effectively made.
“I’m not saying Tottenham is not, but when Manchester City comes through, you don’t say no,” he said.
That statement will immediately resonate with City supporters.
The club remains one of the biggest forces in English football, and despite the changes following Pep Guardiola’s departure, Manchester City continue to offer a pathway to major trophies.
The arrival of Enzo Maresca has also created a fresh sense of ambition around the club.
Maresca succeeded Guardiola in June 2026 and has begun rebuilding the team in his own image.
Ndiaye is one of the attacking players recruited as part of that new era.
Enzo Maresca was another major factor
Ndiaye also revealed that he spoke directly with Maresca before completing the transfer.
That conversation appears to have strengthened his desire to move to Manchester.
The winger said Maresca was someone who admired his abilities.
That relationship could prove important as Ndiaye adapts to his new surroundings.
“I spoke to him before I came,” Ndiaye revealed.
“He’s someone that admired me and as soon as they came through I had only one direction where I wanted to go.”
For a new signing, knowing that the manager specifically wants him can make a significant difference.
Ndiaye will arrive knowing that Maresca believes he can contribute.
The next challenge is proving that belief was justified.
Ndiaye has already made his Manchester City debut
The transfer became official just before the deadline, but Ndiaye did not have to wait long to make his Manchester City debut.
He was handed a starting role against Coventry City in the Premier League.
City eventually won 1-0, with Erling Haaland scoring the decisive goal.
Ndiaye played for most of the match before being replaced late on.
His debut was not spectacular, but there were encouraging signs.
He demonstrated his ability to carry the ball, work defensively and provide Manchester City with another option in wide areas.
His performance was also understandable given the circumstances.
He had only recently joined the club and had limited time to train with his new teammates.
Maresca will therefore expect Ndiaye to improve significantly as he becomes more familiar with the team’s tactical demands.
The winger is still adapting to Maresca’s system
One of the biggest challenges for Ndiaye will be learning the positional requirements of Maresca’s football.
Manchester City demand considerable tactical discipline from their attacking players.
It is not enough to simply receive the ball and attempt to beat a defender.
Players must understand when to stay wide, when to move inside and when to attack spaces created by teammates.
Ndiaye showed glimpses of his individual quality against Coventry, but there were also moments when his positioning could have been better.
That should improve with more training.
The fact that Maresca was willing to start him so soon after his transfer is encouraging.
It suggests the manager already sees Ndiaye as a player who can contribute immediately.
Why Ndiaye could be important for Manchester City
The decision to sign Ndiaye also makes tactical sense.
Manchester City have undergone a major squad rebuild this summer, with several established players leaving the club.
The new manager therefore needs attacking players capable of providing different solutions.
Ndiaye can operate from the wing, but he is also capable of moving into central areas.
His pace and dribbling ability give City an option when opponents defend deep.
That could be especially useful against teams that sit behind the ball and attempt to frustrate Manchester City.
Rather than relying exclusively on intricate passing combinations, City can give Ndiaye possession and allow him to attack defenders directly.
That unpredictability could become one of his biggest strengths.
Champions League football was the perfect attraction
Ndiaye’s comments also reveal just how important European football was to his decision.
He has worked for years to reach this level.
The chance to play Champions League football was therefore not something he was prepared to compromise on.
He explained that when discussing his future with his wife, he made his ambitions clear.
“If I had to leave Everton it would be somewhere where I know I would be playing Champions League,” Ndiaye said.
That makes Manchester City a natural destination.
The club regularly competes for the Champions League and has the squad to challenge deep into the competition.
For Ndiaye, that means he can test himself against Europe’s best players while competing for major honours.
His first Champions League opportunity is already close
The timing could hardly be more interesting.
Ndiaye has barely completed his move and made his Manchester City debut, yet the club are already preparing for their Champions League campaign.
That means he could quickly experience exactly what convinced him to choose City.
Manchester City’s European campaign represents one of the biggest opportunities of his career.
It will also give supporters a chance to see how he performs at the highest level.
Maresca has already suggested that new players will need opportunities during the demanding season ahead.
Ndiaye is therefore likely to receive plenty of chances to establish himself.
Manchester City have beaten Tottenham to a player with big ambitions
From City’s perspective, the transfer represents another significant victory in the summer market.
Tottenham wanted Ndiaye.
Manchester City wanted him too.
Ultimately, the player chose the Etihad.
The reasons are clear.
Champions League football mattered.
The opportunity to play for one of the world’s leading clubs mattered.
And having the confidence of Maresca mattered.
For Manchester City supporters, that is an encouraging combination.
Ndiaye has arrived with a clear motivation to succeed.
He knows exactly why he chose Manchester City, and his first appearance has already given supporters a glimpse of what he can offer.
Now the hard work begins.
He must adapt to Maresca’s tactical demands, build chemistry with his new teammates and prove that he belongs at the highest level.
But if his ambition matches his ability, Manchester City may have secured much more than a £60 million winger.
They may have signed a player determined to make the most of his opportunity.
And Ndiaye’s message to City supporters is already clear: he did not choose Manchester City by accident.
He chose them because he believes this is where he belongs.
