Atletico Madrid Eye Super Eagles Midfielder Wilfred Ndidi for Summer Transfer

Super Eagles and Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has been included in the midfield shortlist of Spanish La Liga side Atletico Madrid as they seek to strengthen their defensive midfield options this summer.

The Rojiblancos are actively searching for a player to fill the gap in their squad after failing to address the issue last summer, and the Nigerian international has emerged as a potential target.

With club captain Koke Resurreccion nearing the end of his career and Thomas Lemar expected to depart, securing a new defensive midfielder has become a priority for Atletico ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Atletico’s sporting department has been compiling a shortlist over the past few months, which includes players like Mallorca’s Samu Costa. According to CaughtOffside, Wilfred Ndidi of Leicester City has now been added to that list.

Ndidi was linked with a move to Barcelona last summer but chose to extend his contract with Leicester. However, he is expected to leave the Premier League side in 2025, and Atletico are among the clubs vying for his signature.

Atletico are not the only team interested in Ndidi, as Real Betis are also reportedly keen on the Nigerian international. Additionally, AS Monaco are said to be competing with both clubs and had a £20 million bid rejected during the winter transfer window.

The 28-year-old’s current contract with Leicester runs until 2027.

Ndidi has made 208 appearances in the Premier League for Leicester and was a key part of the team that won the FA Cup in 2020/21 for the first time in the club’s history, as well as the FA Community Shield.

He also played a crucial role in Leicester’s Championship-winning campaign in 2023/24, scoring four goals and providing five assists in 32 appearances.