A welcome bargain for Everton?

This time last year, Iliman Ndiaye was arguably one of the hottest properties in English football.

Fresh from an outstanding Championship campaign firing Sheffield United to promotion, he was highly tipped to take the Premier League by storm, but instead exchanged Bramall Lane for Marseille's Stade Velodrome on the eve of the 2023-24 season.

With that, he disappeared from this country's consciousness, taking with him - some might say - the Blades' hopes of competing in the top flight.

Now, he's back in England, allowed to depart after an underwhelming return of four goals and five assists in the south of France.

So what have Everton signed? The thrilling talent that tore up Championship defences or a player who seemed to wilt in the glare of the French top flight?

Well, it is probably more apt to think how he will fit in at Goodison. On countless occasions last season, Sean Dyche bemoaned his side's inability to turn expected goals into actual ones (55 expected to 40 in reality).

Ndiaye should definitely help with that, offering a more creative alternative to Abdoulaye Doucoure in the number 10 role.

In fact, his stats show he is far more effective in that withdrawn, second-striker role, bagging seven goals in 13 games for Sheffield United in 2022-23, as opposed to just three in 26 when operating up top for the Blades.

Similarly, at Marseille, he was deployed all across the frontline but only once in his most profitable position. Along with only completing 90 minutes twice for the French giants, perhaps this helps explain his paltry goal contributions return.

A prolific dribbler, he will offer a fresh threat and sprinkle of stardust in an area where Everton are well stocked with players more renowned for their physical and defensive attributes.

He also works really hard, a quality that will no doubt quickly endear him to both Dyche and Toffees supporters.

When he left Bramall Lane in August 2023, BBC Radio Sheffield's Rob Staton wrote: "As a talent, he is virtually irreplaceable - you'd have to spend tens of millions."

Given Everton's struggles for value in the transfer market, the fact Ndiaye's stock has fallen over the past 12 months means it is possible the Blues have snapped up a welcome bargain.