Senegal’s leading footballers have commanded some of the biggest moves of the European transfer window, with Iliman Ndiaye joining Manchester City and Nicolas Jackson and Ibrahim Mbaye moving to Aston Villa.
El Hadji Malick Diouf has signed for Brentford, while Bayern Munich have made Bara Sapoko Ndiaye’s loan permanent. Several hundred million euros have been spent on the five Senegal internationals.
Mohamed Adama Sarr, a former AC Milan player, told Africafoot he was proud to see leading clubs competing to sign players from Senegal’s national team.
Ndiaye makes Manchester City move
Iliman Ndiaye, the 26-year-old Senegal international capable of playing across the right side of attack, has completed a move to Manchester City after rediscovering his best form with Everton in recent seasons.
The transfer is valued at €76m. It represents a new challenge for the former Sheffield United forward, who has made 68 Premier League appearances, scoring 15 goals and providing four assists.
According to exclusive information reported by Africafoot, Ndiaye was also wanted by Tottenham and Al Hilal before agreeing to join Manchester City.
Sarr said the transfer reflected the progress made by the player and the growing appeal of Senegalese internationals to Europe’s biggest clubs.
Jackson joins Aston Villa from Chelsea
Nicolas Jackson has left Chelsea permanently after spending last season on loan at Bayern Munich.
The Senegal international striker has agreed a five-year contract with Aston Villa in a deal worth €75m. His arrival forms part of the club’s restructuring of their attacking options.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery already knows Jackson, having worked with him during the player’s time at Villarreal. That previous relationship was a factor in the move, with Jackson now set to continue his career at Villa Park.
Sarr also welcomed the transfer and believes Jackson’s move to Aston Villa represents another significant step for a Senegalese player competing at the highest level.
Mbaye leaves Paris Saint-Germain for Villa
Ibrahim Mbaye has also joined Aston Villa, despite interest from a series of major European clubs, including Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool.
The 18-year-old Senegal international right-winger moves from Paris Saint-Germain for €55m. He leaves having won two UEFA Champions League titles and two French league titles, achievements he secured before turning 18.
The transfer gives Aston Villa another highly rated Senegalese attacking player, while Mbaye begins a new chapter in the Premier League.
Sarr said the move underlined the scale of Mbaye’s development and the confidence shown in him by one of England’s established clubs.
Diouf signs five-year Brentford contract
El Hadji Malick Diouf has joined Brentford after an impressive individual campaign with West Ham, despite the club’s relegation to the Championship.
The 21-year-old Senegal international is a versatile left-back who contributed four assists in 33 matches last season. He has signed a five-year contract with Brentford, who have strengthened their squad significantly during the summer.
The transfer fee for Diouf is estimated at €40m.
Sarr analysed Diouf’s decision to move to Brentford and expressed hope that the player would continue his progress in the Premier League after earning a major transfer following his performances for West Ham.
Bayern confirm permanent deal for Ndiaye
Bayern Munich have exercised their purchase option for Bara Sapoko Ndiaye, who had been on loan from Gambinos Stars Africa, a Gambian academy based in Banjul.
The 18-year-old Senegal international midfielder, who represented the Lions at the most recent World Cup in America, will remain in Germany after the Bavarian club paid €3.5m for his permanent transfer.
Ndiaye has signed a five-year contract with Bayern. His journey from Louga to the Allianz Arena in Munich has been described as a dream progression, and Sarr explained why the deal represented another source of pride for Senegalese football.
Together, the five transfers demonstrate the increasing demand for Senegalese talent across Europe, with Premier League clubs and Bayern Munich committing substantial fees to secure the services of the country’s internationals.