Manchester City supporters have wasted little time making their feelings known after the club completed the signing of Iliman Ndiaye from Everton for £65 million.
The transfer was officially confirmed on Tuesday, with City agreeing to pay £60m up front plus a further £5m in potential bonuses. Ndiaye has also signed a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium.
For supporters, the announcement has provided an immediate reason for excitement.
The reaction to Machester City’s twitter post announcing the deal was overwhelmingly positive. Several fans welcomed the Senegal international with messages of excitement, while others immediately began predicting that the new signing could become another excellent addition to Manchester City’s attacking options.
One supporter simply wrote: “Welcome boyyy”, accompanied by a blue heart.
Another responded with: “Get innnnnn welcome”, while another fan described the transfer as a “Very good signing.”
There was also a particularly confident assessment from another supporter who called the deal “Silly good.”
Those reactions capture the mood around Ndiaye’s arrival. While supporters will obviously want to see the winger perform in a City shirt before making definitive judgments, there is already considerable optimism about what he can bring to Enzo Maresca’s team.
Manchester City fans immediately embrace Ndiaye
The most noticeable part of the reaction was how quickly supporters embraced the new signing.
Manchester City have been looking for additional attacking options after several changes to their forward line. According to Sky Sports, the club had previously attempted to sign Cody Gakpo from Liverpool, but an £80m offer was rejected.
City subsequently moved for Ndiaye.
That background makes the transfer even more interesting for supporters. Ndiaye is not simply arriving as another squad player. He is joining at a time when Maresca needs greater depth and flexibility in the attacking areas.
The reaction suggests many City fans believe the club has found an excellent alternative.
One supporter reacted with four blue hearts, while another simply posted an excited “Waw.”
There was also the message “Yessss he’s so good”, showing that some supporters already have a strong opinion of Ndiaye’s ability.
That confidence is important because the Senegalese forward arrives with expectations attached to a significant transfer fee.
At £65m, supporters will expect an immediate impact.
“Another Savinho” – fans make exciting comparison
Perhaps one of the most interesting reactions came from a supporter who described Ndiaye as “Another Savinho.”
The comparison is significant.
Savinho became a popular figure among Manchester City supporters because of his direct style, technical ability and willingness to attack defenders. Suggesting that Ndiaye could offer something similar shows the type of player some fans believe City have acquired.
Ndiaye’s versatility could also make the comparison particularly appealing.
The former Everton attacker can operate in wide areas and has the ability to carry the ball forward, combine with teammates and contribute in the final third.
For a Manchester City side under Maresca, those qualities could prove valuable.
The new manager inherited a squad that needed attacking adjustments, and Ndiaye’s arrival gives him another option when trying to break down opponents.
The five-year contract also suggests that City see the player as more than a short-term solution.
City fans clearly wanted another attacking option
The timing of the signing has also influenced the reaction.
City have seen significant movement in their attacking department, with Savinho and Omar Marmoush moving to Tottenham earlier in the month. Sky Sports reported that those departures reduced Maresca’s options on the wing.
That situation was highlighted during City’s win over Crystal Palace, when the club did not name a winger on the bench.
Phil Foden started in a wide position, despite Maresca acknowledging that the England international is not naturally a winger.
Therefore, Ndiaye’s arrival addresses an obvious squad requirement.
For supporters, that could explain why the announcement generated such an enthusiastic response.
They are not simply celebrating a new name.
They are celebrating the arrival of a player who could immediately give Maresca more attacking options.
“What a player!” – confidence is already high
Another supporter summed up their feelings with a simple statement:
“What a player!”
That comment received significant engagement compared with many of the other reactions.
It reflects the belief among some supporters that City have signed a player capable of making a genuine difference.
Ndiaye himself has also made it clear that he believes Manchester City is the right environment for him.
After completing the move, the winger described City as one of the best clubs in the world and said he had worked throughout his career for an opportunity like this.
He also explained that he enjoys playing football on the ground in an attacking team that wants to score goals.
That description should immediately appeal to City supporters.
Under Maresca, City are expected to maintain their attacking identity while introducing their new manager’s own tactical ideas. A player who enjoys possession-based attacking football could therefore be a natural fit.
Not everyone was happy about the transfer
As expected with any major transfer announcement, the reaction was not universally positive.
Some of the responses came from supporters of other clubs rather than Manchester City fans.
One rival supporter responded bluntly with “Fuck off”, while another claimed City were benefiting from their financial power.
There was also a Tottenham supporter who wrote “That’s him ruined”, reflecting the frustration that can accompany a player joining a rival club.
Those comments should not be confused with the dominant City reaction, however.
The overall tone among the Manchester City supporters responding to the announcement was overwhelmingly positive.
The criticism from rival fans instead highlights how significant the move is perceived to be from outside the Etihad.
Ndiaye arrives with a point to prove
Despite the excitement, Manchester City fans will know that transfer fees and social media reactions do not guarantee success.
Ndiaye now has to prove himself on the pitch.
A £65m transfer creates expectations, particularly at a club where competition for places is intense.
The winger will have to adapt quickly to City’s tactical demands, understand Maresca’s instructions and compete with established attacking players.
However, the five-year contract gives him time to develop.
It also demonstrates that City believe he can be an important part of their future.
That long-term commitment could become one of the most important aspects of the transfer.
Rather than simply filling a short-term hole, Ndiaye has the opportunity to establish himself as a major player for the next several seasons.
The perfect response to the Gakpo disappointment?
The Gakpo situation had created frustration among some supporters after Liverpool rejected City’s £80m bid.
However, Ndiaye’s arrival appears to have changed the mood quickly.
Instead of dwelling on the failed Gakpo pursuit, supporters are already looking forward to seeing what Ndiaye can produce.
That may ultimately be the biggest positive from the transfer.
City wanted another wide forward.
They have now secured one.
And judging by the reaction to the announcement, supporters are more than ready to see him in action.
Manchester City fans are excited for Ndiaye’s debut
The message from the reactions is clear: Manchester City supporters are excited about Iliman Ndiaye.
“Welcome boyyy.”
“Get innnnnn welcome.”
“Very good signing.”
“Silly good.”
“What a player!”
These comments may be short, but together they demonstrate the immediate enthusiasm surrounding the transfer.
Ndiaye arrives at Manchester City with a £65m price tag, a five-year contract and plenty of expectations.
He also arrives at a crucial moment for Maresca’s squad.
With City needing more options in attack, the Senegal international could quickly become an important figure.
The real verdict, of course, will come on the pitch.
For now, though, the supporters have already delivered their verdict on the signing itself.
They are excited.
And if Ndiaye can reproduce his best form in a Manchester City shirt, those early messages of “What a player!” may soon look like a very accurate prediction.
