Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has been connected with a potential move to Manchester United, in a report from the Sunday Express.
Despite his positive attributes, we would not expect a deal for Ndidi to be on either United or Leicester’s agenda this summer.
Firstly, the Express‘ report does not quite stack up. It claims Ndidi is being lined up as an alternative for Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek, who was linked by The Times, a week ago.
Van de Beek is more of an attacking midfielder, and would provide cover for Bruno Fernandes, as well as being able to drop deeper and play a similar role to Fred.
Ndidi would be closer to a Nemanja Matic replacement in defensive midfield, having stepped into Ngolo Kante’s role at Leicester.
Wrong timing
A move for Nigeria international Ndidi would be a popular one. He has been one of the best midfielders in the Premier League this season.
He averages 4 tackles a game from midfield and 2.7 interceptions per match this season. He ranks number one in the league in his position in both areas.
Ndidi is only 23 too, and would be an ideal long term replacement for Matic, who is 31.
But Ndidi’s strong performances for his team have seen Leicester rise to sit third in the Premier League. While their form was beginning to trail off before the break, they are in a great position to secure Champions League football for next season.
Ndidi would not only be expensive, but Leicester are likely to be resistant to selling. While they let Harry Maguire leave, it was for an exorbitant fee, and letting another key player leave one year later to the same club would send the wrong message.
So unless United are willing to commit a fee of £60 million plus, this is not a likely deal for this summer.
He is under a long term contract which runs until 2024, putting his side under no pressure to sell at all.
While Ndidi would be an excellent signing for United, and it makes sense that we would be coveting him, this is the wrong summer to try, in a year when United appear set to finish below Leicester in the league, barring a late turnaround.
Our plans for a new defensive midfielder are likely to lead elsewhere.
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