Beyond injury: Ndidi’s withdrawal from AFCON spurs transfer speculations

Wilfred Ndidi has previously piqued the interest of Barcelona, Sevilla, Juventus, who are looking to secure his signature

Wilfred Ndidi’s unexpected withdrawal from the Nigeria Super Eagles AFCON squad has sparked speculations beyond the cover of injury concerns, Soccernet.ng reports.

The defensive midfielder was withdrawn from the Super Eagles squad ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations campaign, and was replaced by Royale Antwerp star, Alhassan Yususf.

Meanwhile, as the January transfer window ushers in different activities, Ndidi’s name emerges prominently among the coveted players sought by numerous top European teams for a significant move in the near future.

In the whirlwind of transfer talks, several reputable clubs, including FC Barcelona, Sevilla, and even Juventus have expressed keen interest in acquiring Ndidi’s services.

The urgency for immediate reinforcements, particularly due to existing injury woes within these teams, sparks the need for an immediate and available addition to their squad.

For clubs in such a dilemma, acquiring a player who might only join the squad by late February might not fit their pressing needs.

The timing of Ndidi’s withdrawal coincides with the sudden surge of transfer speculations, which further fuels the notion that his decision could be strategic.

It allows him ample time to navigate the transfer market and potentially materialize a dream move to a prestigious club.

Curiously, the injury narrative surrounding Ndidi only surfaced when Leicester’s coach, Enzo Maresca, abruptly declared him unfit, prompting speculation about the actual nature and timing of the injury.

This situation questions the crossroads of player commitments to national teams, transfer aspirations, and the dynamics of the transfer window.

Although, it is yet to physically confirm the extent of the Nigerian international’s injury or preparations for his injury return. But, having been withdrawn from the squad, Ndidi could still be opened for a big transfer as he nears the end of his contract with Leicester City.

As the transfer saga unfolds and rumours continue to swirl, the timing of Ndidi’s withdrawal from the AFCON squad is set to his the Super Eagles really hard as they gear up for the upcoming event.