Iliman Ndiaye's second season at Everton proved exactly why the club have become so determined to keep hold of him.

After arriving from Marseille in 2024, the Senegal international enjoyed an impressive 2025/26 campaign under David Moyes, developing into one of Everton's most dangerous attacking players.

He finished the Premier League season with six goals and three assists from 32 appearances, regularly carrying the team's attacking threat whether starting on the left wing or operating in a more central role.

His performances also continued on the international stage.

Ndiaye featured for Senegal during the World Cup, adding another goal and two assists to underline his growing importance for both club and country.

That form has inevitably attracted interest.

Al-Hilal have identified the 26-year-old as one of their leading attacking targets after already signing Crysencio Summerville this summer, with the Saudi Pro League giants looking to add another high-profile forward to their squad.

Talks have gathered momentum over recent days as they attempt to convince Everton to sell one of their biggest assets.

Everton, however, are under little pressure to cash in.

Ndiaye remains under contract until 2029 and reports suggest the club have even explored the possibility of extending his deal further, highlighting just how highly Moyes and Everton's hierarchy rate the forward.

Losing him would leave a huge hole in Everton's attack.

The Toffees have strengthened in other areas this summer, including the arrivals of Hayden Hackney, Tyrique George and a permanent deal for Merlin Rohl, but replacing Ndiaye's ability to create chances, beat defenders and score important goals would be an entirely different challenge.

That explains why negotiations have been anything but straightforward for the Saudis.

Everton set mammoth Iliman Ndiaye price tag as Al-Hilal talks continue

According to Sky Switzerland, discussions are continuing between Everton and Al-Hilal over a potential transfer, but the Premier League club have set an enormous asking price.

The report claims Everton have told the Saudi club that a deal could cost as much as £81 million in total once add-ons are included.

That figure is made up of an initial fee of around £68 million plus a further £13 million in performance-related bonuses, making it one of the biggest sales in Everton's history if completed.

Sky Switzerland adds that Al-Hilal have so far offered around £56 million plus £13 million in bonuses, leaving a sizeable gap between the two clubs as negotiations continue.

If Everton succeed in securing their full valuation, the transfer would eclipse the £78m fee Al-Hilal paid for Neymar and become the most expensive signing in the Saudi club's history.

Everton's stance reflects Ndiaye's importance.

With several years remaining on his contract and no financial pressure to sell, the Toffees can afford to demand a premium for one of the Premier League's standout attackers from last season.

Whether Al-Hilal are ultimately prepared to meet those demands remains to be seen, but what is already clear is that Everton have no intention of letting one of their key players leave cheaply.

If Al-Hilal truly believe Ndiaye can become the next marquee name in Saudi Arabia, they may now have to break their own transfer record to convince Everton to do business.