Leicester City have been criticised innumerable times this season for their lack quality transfer signings in the summer and every disappointing result just brings the frustration to the fore.
Claudio Ranieri is desperately looking to bring in fresh recruitments in the winter to beef up the squad for the long season and their recent qualification to the knockout stages of the Champions League also demands more quality in the squad.
As per latest reports, Leicester City are in advanced talks with Genk over a £14 million deal for Wilfred Ndidi. Ranieri is completing a deal for the highly-rated teenager and expects to make Ndidi Leicester’s first capture of the January transfer window.
Although negotiations are far from over, Leicester are confident of signing the 19-year-old in January in a deal which could rise to £16 million after instalments.
N’Golo Kante’s absence has been largely felt by the Foxes and with Nampalys Mendy, who was touted as the replacement for the Frenchman, out with a horrific injury that he incurred in the opening day of the season, the midfield position has haunted Ranieri every game since then.
Ndidi is someone, who can play at the centre of defence or as a midfielder in front of the back four and Ranieri believes his versatility could be crucial in the second half of the season. Leicester captain Wes Morgan and Robert Huth have struggled on multiple times in the league and a major concern is their alternatives, which at present is absent for Ranieri.
Ndidi’s reputation is already impressive since he made his debut for Nigeria in October last year and Leicester are putting the finishing touches on the deal. It could even be announced within the first week of the January window.
He has made 5 appearances for Genk so far, winning 22 tackles this season with a success rate of 54%. He has made 23 interceptions, 16 clearances, and one block. Ndidi is known for his recovery pace, which has caught the eye but it will be his stamina that will be the concern here.
Ranieri currently has Daniel Amartey alongside Drinkwater this season but they have failed to provide the defence-splitting passes for the forwards, which is one main reason why Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez have been left chasing shadows. Their defensive work hasn’t been all that good either, the foremost task they are supposed to do.
After Kante’s huge impact on Leicester City’s title winning season, Ranieri is looking for a midfielder with a similar knack who has an immense work rate and passing accuracy in the attacking third as well as the more indispensable defensive attributes. And Ndidi might have that spark.
