Aston Villa could ruin Everton’s transfer plans with a surprise swoop for a Leicester City gem.
The transfer shackles are now off at Aston Villa and Unai Emery is eager to improve several areas of his squad ahead of the new season.
There are no longer any concerns over breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR) following an agreed sale of the women’s team and Villa are working towards conforming to UEFA’s squad cost rules (SCR). Although the transfer budget is certainly limited and high-earning players could still leave, there’s now scope to make some new signings.
Despite having the likes of Youri Tielemans, Boubacar Kamara, John McGinn and Amadou Onana shining in the centre of the park, Villa have been linked with a host of potential defensive midfield signings. The Villans have been credited with an interest in Rangers’ Nicolas Raskin, Galatasaray’s Gabriel Sara and Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott, while Juventus’ Douglas Luiz has even been tipped to complete a spectacular return.
But what if Villa were to ignore all of those players and turn their attention to a gem recently relegated to the Championship? There could be a bargain deal ready in waiting.
Aston Villa could swoop for Leicester City gem
Forget Raskin, forget Sara, forget Elliott. Even forget Luiz. Villa should be targeting Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi instead. Now, we know he’s got two ugly relegations on his CV, but it’s been far from the Nigerian’s fault on both occasions.
Ndidi, an FA Cup, Community Shield and Championship winner, is available for just £9 million this summer thanks to a bargain relegation release clause. There aren’t many other options out there for such a cut-price fee and this could really help Villa considering they will need to take great care not to fail PSR this time next year.
Now 28 years of age and in his prime, Ndidi has racked up an impressive 220 Premier League appearances since joining Leicester from KRC Genk back in 2017. The 65-time Nigeria international has been a near-guaranteed starter in seven of his eight seasons in the English top flight and has rarely put a foot wrong.
Despite his loyalties to Leicester, a move away could be very tempting this summer as Ndidi is definitely operating at a level higher than the Championship. There’s a reason the midfielder agreed to insert a relegation release clause when he signed a new deal 12 months ago and he could now make a big step up by joining Villa.
Starts would be nowhere near as guaranteed at Villa Park as they would be at the King Power Stadium, but the competition could help push Ndidi to his best. The Nigerian could also reunite with one of his former teammates in Tielemans; an added bonus of making the move to B6.
Everton and Manchester United keen on Ndidi
Villa may need to hurry if they are to sign Ndidi as Premier League rivals Everton and Manchester United hold a strong interest. Give Me Sport reporter Ben Jacobs recently revealed that Everton and United have already discussed a move for the Leicester man, while clubs in the Saudi Pro League are monitoring his situation.
Whoever does land Ndidi will be signing a superb asset. FotMob stats. Throughout 2024/25, the Foxes hero was in the top 20 per cent of Premier League midfielders for tackles won (51), duels won (177), aerial duels won (61) and interceptions (31). Ndidi was a threat in the opposite third, too, as he had 60 touches in the opposition box, ranking him in the top 14 per cent.
Would you like to see Villa sign Ndidi? Let us know in the comments section below.
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