1 week ago
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Leicester City and Nigeria midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi has emerged as a key summer target for Atletico Madrid and Real Betis, with AS Monaco also showing strong interest in securing his signature, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 28-year-old, who has been a crucial part of Leicester’s squad in recent years, is expected to leave the club at the end of the season despite signing a new contract last summer.
Atletico Madrid, in particular, is keen to reinforce its midfield as it looks to find a long-term replacement for club captain Koke Resurrección, who is entering the latter stages of his career.
The anticipated departure of Thomas Lemar has also increased the urgency for reinforcements at the Metropolitano.
Atleti’s sporting department has been actively scouting midfielders over the past few months, with Mallorca’s Samu Costa among the names on their shortlist.
However, Ndidi’s ability to break up play and provide defensive stability has made him a serious candidate for the role, according to a report by CaughtOffside.
The Super Eagles star is not new to interest from Spanish clubs with Barcelona previously linked with his services but no concrete moves followed.
Fellow La Liga side, Real Betis is also in the market for a defensive midfielder, with reports suggesting the team is preparing for the departure of Johnny Cardoso, who is linked with a summer switch to Tottenham Hotspur.
Meanwhile, Ligue 1 side, AS Monaco has been tracking Ndidi for some time and reportedly made a £20 million bid for him during the winter transfer window.
Ndidi has endured a stop-start campaign due to injury, with a hamstring problem limiting his involvement earlier in the season. However, he has recently regained fitness and is beginning to feature more regularly under Leicester manager Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Since joining Leicester in 2017 from Genk, Ndidi has been a vital cog in the Foxes’ midfield, making 208 Premier League appearances.
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