Everton’s pre-season preparations have reportedly been thrown into chaos after one of the club’s biggest stars refused to take part in first-team training, further fuelling growing speculation that his time at Goodison Park is rapidly coming to an end.
The situation has quickly become one of the biggest talking points surrounding the Merseyside club ahead of the new campaign. With Everton trying to build momentum before the start of the 2026/27 season, the unexpected absence of one of their most influential players has left supporters asking serious questions about what is happening behind the scenes.
The player has already been absent from several of Everton’s pre-season fixtures, most notably the recent friendly against Stoke City, where fans expected him to feature after returning from an outstanding FIFA World Cup campaign with his national team. Instead, his name was nowhere to be found in the matchday squad, immediately sparking rumours that something much bigger was unfolding.
Those rumours have only intensified over the last few days.
According to reports emerging from within the club’s pre-season camp, the forward has now refused to train alongside his Everton teammates, making it increasingly unlikely that he will travel with the squad for their upcoming friendly against Hamburger SV in Germany on August 1.
Sources close to the situation claim the player’s decision is directly linked to his desire to secure a transfer before the new Premier League season begins.
Rather than continuing preparations with Everton, he is said to be fully focused on completing a move away from the club, believing that now is the perfect moment to take the next step in his career following an exceptional World Cup that significantly increased his reputation across Europe.
While Everton officials are understood to be disappointed by the recent developments, there is also an acceptance that interest in the player has reached unprecedented levels following his impressive international performances.
The strongest interest has reportedly come from Newcastle United.
Manager Eddie Howe is believed to have identified the Everton attacker as one of his priority targets after Tottenham Hotspur completed the signing of Sandro Tonali earlier this summer, leaving Newcastle searching for a player capable of bringing pace, directness and attacking creativity to the squad.
Howe reportedly believes the Everton player possesses exactly the qualities needed to fit Newcastle’s aggressive style of football.
Club insiders suggest Newcastle’s recruitment team were particularly impressed by the player’s fearless displays during the World Cup, where he consistently troubled defenders with his pace, relentless pressing and ability to produce moments of brilliance in crucial matches.
Those performances appear to have convinced the Magpies hierarchy that he is ready for a bigger role at a club competing regularly for European football.
Behind the scenes, negotiations are believed to be gathering pace.
Reports indicate the player has already informed his representatives that securing a move to St James’ Park should become their top priority during the current transfer window.
Rather than entertaining multiple offers, he reportedly wants his agent to focus exclusively on completing negotiations with Newcastle, believing Eddie Howe’s project offers the ideal environment for him to continue developing his career.
Club staff had reportedly expected him to return fully committed after his extended summer break following international duty.
Instead, his continued absence from both training sessions and pre-season matches has created growing uncertainty inside the dressing room.
Only now does the identity of the player at the centre of the transfer saga become clear.
The player in question is Iliman Ndiaye, who joined Everton in 2024 and quickly established himself as one of the club’s most exciting attacking talents.
His energy, flair and ability to change matches made him a fan favourite, while his outstanding World Cup performances elevated his profile even further, attracting interest from several top clubs across Europe.
Now, Newcastle appear determined to win the race for his signature.
For Eddie Howe, Ndiaye represents far more than just another attacking option.
The Newcastle manager reportedly views him as a player capable of transforming the club’s frontline with his versatility, technical quality and relentless work ethic.
His ability to operate across multiple attacking positions would provide Newcastle with greater tactical flexibility as they prepare for another demanding campaign.
Everton, however, are believed to be reluctant to lose such an important player.
Despite the reports surrounding his refusal to train, club officials are understood to prefer resolving the situation quickly rather than allowing uncertainty to linger throughout pre-season.
There remains hope internally that an agreement can be reached which satisfies all parties, although Newcastle’s growing confidence is said to be making that increasingly difficult.
Supporters have naturally reacted with mixed emotions.
While many understand the attraction of joining an ambitious Newcastle side under Eddie Howe, others are frustrated by reports suggesting the player has chosen not to train while discussions continue.
Many Everton fans believe every professional should remain fully committed until a transfer is officially completed.
Others argue that after delivering memorable performances for both club and country, the forward has earned the right to pursue a new challenge if the right opportunity presents itself.
With Everton scheduled to face Hamburger SV on August 1, all indications suggest Ndiaye will once again be absent from the squad.
Should that happen, speculation surrounding his future is likely to intensify even further.
Every passing day without his return to training appears to strengthen the belief that his Everton chapter is nearing its conclusion.
Whether Newcastle can finalise an agreement in the coming days remains to be seen, but one thing is becoming increasingly clear.
A transfer that once appeared to be nothing more than transfer-window gossip is now gathering serious momentum, and unless there is a dramatic change in circumstances, Iliman Ndiaye could soon swap the blue of Everton for the black and white stripes of Newcastle United in what would undoubtedly become one of the biggest Premier League transfer stories of the summer.