Leicester close in on signing Ndidi

Reigning English champions, Leicester City are prepared to splash $23.4m on Super Eagles player Wilfred Ndidi in January, but manager Claudio Ranieri said he is unaware of the deal.

According to reports out of Belgium, the transfer is subject to the granting of a work permit for the 19-year-old defensive midfielder, who will fill in the vacuum created by the departure of N’Golo Kante to Chelsea in the summer.

Leicester will splash out $18 million pounds for the versatile Ndidi, but this fee could rise to $23.4 pounds with add-ons, reports in the Belgian media stated.

The agreement is understood to be with a view to Ndidi joining City when the January transfer window opens following a successful medical, and the Nigeria international is reportedly set to sign a five-year contract.

“I can tell you it’s only speculation and I don’t talk about players coming in or going out,” said Ranieri ahead of Saturday’s trip to Sunderland.

“I’m sorry, I don’t speak, I’m only a coach. I am focused only on Saturday.”

Ndidi signed for Genk from Nathaniel Boys of Lagos after impressing during a trial and made his debut in January, 2015 as a centre-back and can also play as a right-back, but as he developed he was turned into an athletic central midfielder. Ndidi has been capped twice by the senior Nigeria side and has played seven times for the under-20s.

He will join Nigeria team-mate Ahmed Musa at City and both will be available during the Africa Cup of Nations in January as Nigeria failed to qualify for the finals.