Iman Ndiaye Keeps Marseille Dream Alive Ahead Of Potential Return

Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye has expressed a strong desire to return to Marseille in future, while also reflecting on the difficult single season spent with the French club and the impact that spell has had on both club interest and international ambitions.

Ndiaye joined Everton for £15m ahead of the 2024-25 season and quickly became influential on Merseyside. After two campaigns, reports in England suggest the Senegal international has rejected multiple new contract offers, with Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal all monitoring the situation closely.

In an interview with France Football, carried by Sport Witness, Ndiaye spoke openly about Marseille and suggested a reunion remains part of long-term plans. "And I'm certain the story isnt over at all with Marseille," Ndiaye said, making clear that the connection with the club endures.

Ndiaye described the emotions felt when signing for Marseille in 2023, a move that followed an outstanding year at Sheffield United. "On the day I signed [for Marseille], there was the player in me who wanted to take the next step. But also the child who was dreaming," Ndiaye said. "And then, the welcome from the fans. I'm lost for words; it was so crazy. I hadn't made a name for myself yet. I thought that if there were three people there to greet me, it would already be the end of the world."

The move to Marseille came after Ndiaye delivered 24 goal contributions for Sheffield United in the 2022-23 Championship season, with 14 goals and 10 assists helping the team secure promotion to the Premier League. Instead of staying in England, Ndiaye chose his boyhood club, where earlier youth spells had shaped the early stages of the career.

Life in Ligue 1 proved challenging. Ndiaye featured 30 times in the league but started only 19 matches, finishing with three goals and three assists. Reflecting on that campaign, Ndiaye said: "At a club like that, you have to perform very quickly. I struggled; I won't deny it. But, contrary to what was being said, I didn't put too much pressure on myself."

Ndiaye explained that lack of experience played a major role. "The reality is that I didn't really go through a youth academy, and I'd only had one professional season in the English second tier. So, there were still gaps in my game for a top French club that has to be among the best. I lacked a bit of experience at the highest level," Ndiaye said.

The forward believed an extra year in Marseille might have changed the perception around the signing. "I would have liked a second season at Marseille to show my progress. When we discussed Everton's interest with the clubs management, nobody wanted to keep me. At least it was clear. If I'd arrived two years later, with two Premier League seasons under my belt, I'm sure the story would have turned out very differently," Ndiaye said.

Ndiaye suggested the difficult spell in France may yet prove useful. "I'm a believer and I think what happened was meant to happen. Perhaps that season in Marseille even helped me in the long run," Ndiaye said, viewing that period as part of a longer development path.

Iliman Ndiaye Marseille Everton with Senegal

While club plans remain uncertain, Ndiaye is also central to Senegal's national team picture. Ndiaye played a key role when Senegal initially won the Africa Cup of Nations in January, a title later taken away, and the 26-year-old is now focused on the upcoming World Cup campaign.

Senegal open that World Cup schedule against favourites France on Tuesday, a fixture that places Ndiaye against many familiar Ligue 1 opponents. Whatever happens with Everton or any future Marseille return, performances on this global stage are likely to influence interest from major European clubs.