Leicester line up Europa League top tackler in January

Leicester are keen to make Genk teenager Wilfred Ndidi their first January signing with Claudio Ranieri’s men closing in on a £14m deal, reports The Daily Telegraph.

The reigning Premier League champions have made a disastrous defence of their title and are looking to put that right with some investment in the January transfer window, with advanced talks underway with Belgium side Genk for the exciting central midfielder.

Ndidi, 19, has provided a number of eye-catching performances in the Europa League this season and his ability to break up play has been something Leicester have missed in the wake of N’Golo Kante’s departure over the summer.

With Nampalys Mendy still sidelined through injury, the need for reinforcement in the middle of the park is a necessity for Leicester, as they will also be juggling Champions League knockout football next year.

Leicester’s recruitment has come in for criticism this season but they are now on the verge of securing a deal for the highly-rated Genk teenager and the deal should be confirmed around the turn of the year.

No player has completed more tackles and interceptions combined in the Europa League this season than Ndidi (56), who is also the third highest rated player in the competition (8.11).

For more stats on Wilfred Ndidi, click here to visit his WhoScored player page