Leicester to open Ndidi contract talks

Leicester City is set to open contract talks with Wilfried Ndidi amid interest from Premier League rivals.

The likes of Manchester United and Aston Villa have been linked with summer moves for the Nigeria international.

Report says Leicester are keen to keep hold of Ndidi, 25, and are ready to offer him fresh terms to secure his future.

Ndidi, who joined Leicester from Genk in 2017, is under contract at the King Power Stadium until 2024.

His last contract extension came back in 2018.

This move comes amid doubts surrounding the long-term future of Ndidi’s midfield partner Youri Tielemans.

He has made 25 appearances for the Foxes this term, scoring twice.

The Nigeria international has been a crucial part of the Leicester side which has qualified for the Europa League in back-to-back seasons.

Ndidi also played a part in every round as Brendan Rodgers’ outfit lifted the FA Cup last season.

As per FBRef, the midfielder has made the most tackles (63) and pressures (354) of any Leicester player this term.

He has also filled in at centre-back three times this term at the height of the Foxes’ defensive crisis.

The 43-cap Super Eagles international missed four Leicester games last month through his participation at the African Cup of Nations.

The Foxes are enduring their first real slump under Rodgers since his appointment in 2019.

Leicester sit 11th in the Premier League after failing to win in any of their last five top-flight games.

Their FA Cup defence is already over following an embarrassing 4-1 fourth-round defeat against Nottingham Forest earlier this month.

NP/Mercy Chukwudiebere