Iliman Ndiaye says Marseille story "not finished" as Man City face 114 guilty charges
Iliman Ndiaye has admitted his Marseille story may not be over, saying "we will see" about a return. The £65m summer signing spoke on international duty as Manchester City confront 114 guilty charges, plunging his future into doubt.
- Player: Iliman Ndiaye, 26, joined Manchester City this summer for £65m
- Charges: Manchester City found guilty on 114 of 115 Premier League charges
- Ndiaye's City record: 0 goals, 0 assists in 4 matches
- Marseille record: Signed from Sheffield United for £20m in 2023, left for Everton a year later
- At stake: City await punishment with appeals expected; Marseille fans want Ndiaye back
What was said
"The shouts from Marseille supporters asking me to come back? It is nice to hear. I don't think that the story is finished, but we will see. I'm just saying, I never know where it'll lead me, but we'll see anyway."
"I only have positive memories of my time at OM, and it was a source of pride for me. I don't miss a single match. It's my club, and it always will be."
These are not the words of a player agitating for a move. There is no transfer request here. But Ndiaye has left an emotional tether dangling in public, and that is arguably more destabilising for Manchester City than a formal demand would be.
He calls Marseille "my club" and says the story is unfinished. At a moment when City's entire future is clouded by the 114 charges, that sentiment lands harder than it would in normal circumstances. It is a signal that players are thinking beyond the Etihad.
Deal details
Ndiaye, 26, arrived at the Etihad this summer in a £65m deal. It was a statement signing, intended to strengthen City's attack and add unpredictability in the final third. Before City, he moved from Sheffield United to Marseille for £20m in 2023, then to Everton a year later.
The numbers
- 114 of 115: Charges on which Manchester City have been found guilty
- £65m: Fee City paid for Ndiaye this summer
- £20m: Fee Marseille paid Sheffield United in 2023
- 4: Matches played by Ndiaye for City
- 0: Goals and assists for City
- 26: Ndiaye's age
Why Ndiaye's words matter more than the numbers
Iliman Ndiaye has played four matches for Manchester City without a goal or an assist. Ordinarily, that would be a footnote. His movement and touch have shown enough to suggest more is coming, and early-season adaptation is normal for a £65m attacker. The problem is not the output. It is the timing.
City are navigating a crisis that stretches from the boardroom to the dressing room, and from legal strategy to squad planning. When a new signing publicly describes another club as "my club" and says the story is unfinished, sporting directors take note. So do agents. So do rival clubs. The emotional pull of Marseille is now a factor City cannot ignore.
On the pitch, the priority remains integrating Ndiaye into the attack and turning flashes into production. Off it, City must manage a player whose heart clearly still lives in the Stade Vélodrome. If the appeal fails or the punishment reshapes the club's immediate future, these comments may come to be seen as an early signal rather than a romantic aside.
Talking points
- Should City be worried by Ndiaye's comments, or is it normal for a player to speak fondly of a former club?
- Does the 114-charge verdict make it inevitable that top players start weighing up exits from the Etihad?
- Would Marseille be able to afford Ndiaye if City's situation deteriorates, or is this purely emotional?
- Can Ndiaye justify his £65m fee if the team is distracted by the ongoing legal saga?
What happens next
Manchester City await the scale of punishment from the Premier League case, with appeals expected. Ndiaye returns from international duty and must refocus on his City career. If the verdict lands heavily, Marseille will be watching closely, ready to test whether those words become actions.
Frequently asked questions
Has Iliman Ndiaye said he wants to leave Manchester City?
No. He said "I don't think that the story is finished" at Marseille, but stopped short of a transfer request. He described Marseille as "my club" and said positive memories remain.
How much did Manchester City pay for Iliman Ndiaye?
City paid £65m for Ndiaye this summer. He had moved from Sheffield United to Marseille for £20m in 2023 and then to Everton a year later.
What charges are Manchester City facing?
City have been found guilty on 114 of 115 charges in the Premier League case. The scale of punishment is still to be determined, with appeals expected.
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