Leicester midfielder Wilfred Ndidi is a target for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta as the Gunners boss is considering paying £40m plus Granit Xhaka in order to sign the Nigerian in January.
Ndidi has been a key member of the Foxes since joined the club in 2017 and has been an integral part of Brendan Rodgers’ side this season. With 20 appearances and two goals in all competitions so far this campaign, the Nigerian has helped the club surge up to second in the Premier League table.
According to The Guardian, Arsenal boss Arteta has drawn up a shortlist of players to refresh his squad and the 23-year-old has been identified as perfect replacement for former captain Xhaka who is destined to leave the Emirates after clashing with the fans when he reacted angrily to being substituted off during the club’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace in October.
Also, fellow midfielder Lucas Torreira has been repeatedly linked with a move to Napoli in the new year as well.
However, Arsenal getting Ndidi from Leicester will be difficult during the mid-season transfer window, with boss Brendan Rodgers looking to consolidate their position in the top four. Leicester are also in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup, where they will meet Aston Villa.
When Leicester defeated Unai Emery’s Arsenal in November, Rodgers heralded Ndidi’s role in his team.
‘Ndidi is absolutely key but for any team you need a good defensive midfield player that can do a lot of the dirty work as they say,’ Rodgers said.
‘He smells danger. He can cover the ground so fast, he can press up to the ball, he can cover in.
‘Tactically he is improving and playing better. He is playing in a specific position we haven’t played before where he can run and he has got a clear role to sit and protect and be that link player.
‘With the ball he is getting better. His game is simple. He just needs to serve the players in front of him and be an option to play off the centre-halves and full-backs and continuity in the game.’
