Brendan Rodgers’ re-appointment as the Celtic boss has sparked an array of transfer rumours ahead of the 2023-24 season. According to the Daily Mail (as claimed by Football Scotland), Leicester City midfield ace Wilfred Ndidi has emerged as an option over a potential reunion with his former gaffer north of the border.
The Hoops regained their lost status under Ange Postecoglou by conquering a domestic treble. His decision to join Tottenham Hotspur was an unforeseen setback, but the club moved quickly to bring back the Northern Irishman. Not only has he been the most successful Hoops chief in the recent past but also exhibited his excellence at Leicester City with successive fifth-place finishes in the Premier League along with the FA Cup triumph.
A lack of vision and investment from the owners led to the Foxes’ relegation in the final gameweek of the 2022-23 campaign. Rodgers left his job in April by mutual consent and Dean Smith, his successor, could not script a late escape. Leicester, therefore, are expected to part ways with several first-team stars including Ndidi whose contract at the King Power Stadium will expire next summer.
After progressing through the academy ranks of Ekosodin Stars FC and Nath Boys Academy, the Nigeria international left his homeland for Belgian outfit Genk. There he spent a couple of years before joining Leicester City for a fee of around £17m.
The 26-year-old midfield star has been ever-present with 237 appearances for the English side. His sharpness and physical presence helped him flourish as a deep-lying playmaker. Rodgers deployed him as a makeshift centre-half amid injury problems and his adaptability deep down the pitch should bolster the Bhoys if a transfer takes place in the due course of time.
Why Celtic Should Snap Him Up
Celtic have ample midfield options thanks to Postecoglou’s connections and contacts in the J1 League. Reo Hatate and Tomoki Iwata have been exquisite, also the arrivals of Matt O’Riley and veteran Aaron Mooy have offered a creative spark in the centre of the pitch.
Although the Aussie boss converted Callum McGregor into a ‘number 6’, Rodgers could restore the skipper in a box-to-box role as it was during his previous tenure. Iwata has done well as the understudy to McGregor, but he is unlikely to secure an instant starting role going forward. Ndidi would be a shrewd signing on a cut-price deal given his contract situation in the East Midlands and his addition would help the Celts maintain domestic dominance as well as shine in Europe from next season onwards.
