Liverpool could reportedly make a shock late swoop for Leicester City midfielder Wilfried Ndidi before the transfer window slams shut this week.
Liverpool are considering a shock move for Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi if they are unable to sign Cheick Doucoure from Crystal Palace before the deadline day, according to the Independent.
Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Wataru Endo have all arrived at Anfield as new midfield signings this summer. But given that there has also been an exodus of midfield talent at the club, with James Milner, Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all leaving the club earlier this summer, the Reds are looking to make one more midfield signing before Friday’s transfer deadline.
Crystal Palace destroyer Cheick Doucoure has been strongly linked with a move to Anfield, but Palace’s reported £80 million valuation could prove to be a stumbling block for the Reds, who may turn to Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi as a cheaper alternative.
It’s fair to say that Wilfred Ndidi has had a disappointing few years after an excellent start to his Premier League career with the Foxes.
Once hailed as one of Europe’s most promising defensive midfielders and linked with all the top clubs in Europe, the 26-year-old stock has taken a drastic hit in recent years, with multiple serious injuries derailing his once promising career. His decline has mirrored Leicester City’s own fall from grace, including relegation from the Premier League last term.
Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:’efE-JZ16RxleB1d8Ixog7g’,sig:’T2cLWmNbGXf0RRCauOvDydX2l-vPqK1deaO2MPLrqVQ=’,w:’594px’,h:’415px’,items:’1603774984′,caption: true ,tld:’com’,is360: false })});
Leicester have snapped up Harry Winks from Tottenham and brought in Cesare Casadei on loan from Chelsea to bolster their midfield this summer. They have, though, lost Youri Tielemans to Aston Villa, James Maddison to Tottenham, and Nampalys Mendy as a free agent.
Ndidi has remained a regular starter for the Foxes in their first few matches of the new Championship campaign, but with the player now into the final year of his existing contract, Enzo Maresca’s side are “willing” to cash in on the Nigerian international.
Although he may not be as exciting a name as the others on the Reds’ wishlist and his potential arrival could block the pathway for promising 18-year-old Stefan Bajcetic in the first team, Ndidi might be a sensible target to pursue on a cut-price deal. Endo is the only natural defensive-minded option, but he is still getting up to speed with the Premier League rigours and Jurgen Klopp’s style of play.
There is a feeling that Liverpool might need more depth in the department, but it has been hard for them to find the right option. Ndidi wouldn’t be too bad a signing as cover for Endo given he’s an out-and-out holding midfielder who can also play at centre-back, which is another area of concern for Liverpool. He also has substantial English top-flight experience, having earned almost 200 Premier League appearances for the Foxes.
Liverpool could fill a gap in their squad without breaking the bank if they sign Ndidi, who, at 26, still has time on his side to rediscover his best form under Klopp’s tutelage. This link makes a lot of sense in terms of the budget-friendly segment, making it one to watch as Friday approaches.
