Ndidi set to step into Kante role

By Editor

Wilfred Ndidi has confirmed he will leave Belgian side Genk for Leicester City in a five-year deal worth about £15m.   Manchester United also showed interest, but Leicester won the race for the 20-year-old Nigeria international. Ndidi will join Super Eagles teammate Ahmed Musa, who signed for Leicester from CSKA Moscow last summer for £16m.   After helping Genk beat Gent 2–0 on Tuesday, Ndidi said it was his last game for the club. He had already passed initial medicals with Leicester. “This was my last game for Genk,” he told Daily Mail. He thanked former Genk coach Peter Maes, saying, “He made me the player I am today. I got my transfer thanks to him.”   Genk quickly signed 18-year-old Sander Berge as his replacement. Ndidi joined Genk from Lagos youth club Nath Boys in 2015 for £80,000, scoring four goals in 62 matches.   Leicester still needs a work permit for Ndidi. Nigeria ranks 51st in FIFA standings, and Ndidi has not played 75 percent of Nigeria’s games, but the Foxes believe their case is strong.   Claudio Ranieri, whose team sits 16th in the Premier League, hinted at the signing. “Let me see him, say good morning and welcome, and then I tell you,” he told BBC Sport. He expects Ndidi to replace N’Golo Kante, who left for Chelsea last summer in a £32m move. Ranieri had signed Nampalys Mendy, but injuries sidelined him.   Ndidi hopes the move boosts his chances with Nigeria ahead of World Cup qualifiers against Cameroon in August. Coach Gernot Rohr wants stronger midfield options after Ogenyi Onazi struggled in earlier qualifiers.   Former Nigeria defender Patrick Pascal backed Ndidi to succeed. “He is ripe enough to play for any team,” Pascal said. “He plays like Kante and can replace him at Leicester.  
Wilfred Ndidi

Wilfred Ndidi

 

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