Sheffield United: Iliman Ndiaye unlikely to consider new contract until after World Cup
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The Senegal international, whose country have qualified for this month’s tournament in Qatar, featured among a list of players Heckingbottom asked Bramall Lane’s board of directors to consider handing new deals earlier this season.
But United have yet to make a breakthrough in their talks with Ndiaye, who together with team mate Oliver McBurnie enters tomorrow’s game against Cardiff City as the Championship’s joint-leading goalscorer.
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Hide AdAlthough Heckingbottom has purposefully removed himself from discussions with Ndiaye and others in order to concentrate on footballing affairs, he did provide an update on the 22-year-old’s situation recently. Acknowledging there had yet to be a breakthrough, Heckingbottom cryptically commented “Everyone has got to be on the same page,” when asked to give his thoughts on the matter.
That was taken to be an indication that Ndiaye’s representatives are loath to consider committing their client to United before the January transfer window; particularly given his rapid development in recent months.
With the youngster’s present agreement not set to expire until 2024, Heckingbottom returned to the matter again ahead of the visit to Wales, saying: “Either way with Iliman, it’s in the club’s favour because he’ll either be sold for big money or sign a new contract. It’s my job to try and keep him, and others, here. I wouldn’t have thought anything is going to get done during the World Cup.”
Nevertheless, United could live to regret not improving Ndiaye’s terms and conditions earlier; not least before he won his first cap for the reigning African champions over the summer. With the market set to reopen in less than two months time, it would be a major surprise if Ndiaye’s agent elected to accept an offer from United’s hierarchy at this point in time unless a cast iron buy out clause was inserted into the deal. And that would almost certainly be set way below Ndiaye’s true value; something which Heckingbottom’s employers would be unwilling to consider.
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Hide AdHeckingbottom handed Ndiaye his professional debut in March last year, before a dispute over the contract he eventually signed prompted one now departed board member to argue the former Boreham Wood attacker should not be considered for selection. In caretaker charge at the time, it fell to Heckingbottom’s predecessor Slavisa Jokanovic to award Ndiaye his first league start.
With the Serb swiftly departing, and United choosing to install Heckingbottom in his place, Ndiaye has become one of the most influential members of their squad; forging a reputation for spectacular solo goals and moments of individual brilliance.
“He’s done great,” Heckingbottom said earlier this season. “But he can get even better, no doubt about it.”
“I’m hard on Iliman,” he added. “But that’s only because I know what he’s capable of and how good he can be.”
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Hide AdNdiaye is expected to make his latest appearance of the present campaign at the Cardiff City Stadium where United, who have prepared for the match in third, will attempt to climb to the top of the table before leaders Burnley and second-placed Blackburn Rovers meet on Sunday.