Iliman Ndiaye has acknowledged the emotional bond he still shares with Olympique de Marseille, despite the financial and contractual obstacles standing in the way of a return.
The 26-year-old forward is back in the Marseille region with the Senegal national team, who are preparing to face Comoros in a friendly. His arrival was warmly received by local supporters, with fans immediately urging him to return and play in Marseille’s colours again.
Speaking to La Provence, Ndiaye admitted that the reaction from the supporters had affected him deeply. Although he has moved on professionally, his connection with the club and its fans remains strong.
However, a return to Olympique de Marseille in the short or medium term appears highly unlikely. Ndiaye recently joined Manchester City on a contract running until 2031, while his current market value is estimated at 55 million euros.
That figure would be beyond Olympique de Marseille’s present financial reach, with the club’s finances currently in the red. As a result, the economic circumstances make a transfer increasingly unrealistic, even though the affection between Ndiaye and the Marseille supporters has not diminished.
The Senegal international’s relationship with the club therefore remains a matter of sentiment rather than an immediate transfer possibility. His contract with Manchester City and the size of any potential fee represent major barriers to a return.
Manchester City are due to face Liverpool in their sixth match of the English championship in the coming period. The listed odds for the fixture are 2.47 for a Manchester City win, 3.60 for a draw and 2.50 for a Liverpool victory.