The young Nigerian midfielder is set to join The Foxes in January as Claudio Ranieri plots for a turnaround in fortune.
Leicester City are enduring a dismal season following their historic Premier League triumph, stuttering very close to the relegation spot. While replicating the humongous success of last season was always going to be a huge ask, no one expected such a downturn in Leicester’s form.
One of the key factors behind the underwhelming campaign is said to be the loss of N’golo Kante to Chelsea in the summer. The men in blue have sorely missed the tenacity and work-rate of the Frenchman in the middle of the park.
As such, Claudio Ranieri is in desperate need of a replacement, with Genk’s Wilfred Ndidi identified as one such candidate. And now, reports in England as well as Belgium have revealed the Foxes are very close to securing the signing of the 19-year-old Nigerian midfielder.
English newspaper Telegraph has suggested the Premier League side is in advance talks with Genk for a £14 million deal for the tough-tackling midfielder. The negotiations are said to be currently ongoing, but the English club remains confident the deal will be sealed soon and announced within the first week of January.
The report is corroborated by reliable Belgian journalist Kristof Terreur, who claims an agreement in principle is in place between Leicester and Genk, and the midfielder will join the English club on a 5 year contract. The reported fee is in the region of £15 million, with only work permit and other small formalities left to be dealt with.
Wilfred Ndidi was reported to be a target of Premier League giants Chelsea and Tottenham, with managers of both the clubs said to be an admirer of the teenager. Various English clubs were closely monitoring his progress but Leicester have seemingly managed to pull-off the coup.
Claudio Ranieri believes the physicality and versatility of Wilfred Ndidi could be the catalyst for a change in fortune for Leicester in the second half of the season. The Nigerian international could well turn out to be an inspired signing for the club.
