Nigeria’s World Cup star Wilfred Ndidi has penned a new contract at Leicester City after significant interest from Arsenal and Liverpool in the summer.
Arsenal and Liverpool have received a setback on any future plans to pursue Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi after the Nigerian midfielder signed a new contract with the Foxes. Ndidi’s new deal with the club is for the next six years, and it ends in 2024.
Since arriving for a move worth £18.5 million back in 2017 from Belgian outfit Genk, Ndidi has established himself as one of the outstanding players for the Foxes. Last season he made 33 appearances for the club, garnering three assists during the season.
He was seen as a possible replacement for former hero N’Golo Kante, despite the Frenchman leaving six months earlier before the Nigerian’s arrival at the club. Ndidi is yet to take the club to the heights which saw them win the Premier League in 2015/16, but the comparison with the World Cup winner is entirely justifiable.
He said: “I’m thrilled to sign for six more years. I hope we can look forward to many more fantastic moments. I’ve enjoyed every moment of my time with the club.”
With his consistent displays for Leicester, Ndidi had already attracted the interest of Arsenal, Manchester United and other big clubs in the Premier League, while Leicester would be patting themselves in the back for securing a future star to a long-term deal.
Before this summer’s transfer window, Liverpool were keen on signing Ndidi as they were looking for reinforcements in midfield. In the scenario that Leicester would have negotiated Ndidi’s sale, they would have asked for significant fees. In the end, Liverpool ended up signing Fabinho from Monaco, as well as Naby Keita who arrived in a deal that was agreed upon last season.
The new contract puts Leicester in a strong position with regards to the future of their rising star. In the scenario that Ndidi decides to leave, either next summer or anytime after that, the Foxes could demand a significant fee for the Nigerian and have seemingly protected their investment in the best way possible.
Having secured the 21-year-old’s signature on this new deal, Leicester could now be looking to make other stars stay as well. Jamie Vardy has already penned a new 4-year-deal, and soon after Ndidi signing his, Leicester will be hoping stars like Harry Maguire and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel follow their lead and sign new contracts. But with Ndidi’s signature, the Foxes have successfully warded off interest from other rival clubs, at least for the time being.
