Everton made a late attempt to sign a new central midfielder back in August.
Ben Jacobs has now revealed that the Toffees expressed a late desire to sign Wilfred Ndidi from Leicester in August after the Foxes were relegated, but ultimately lost out to Besiktas – who sealed a £6m deal.
He told The United Stand: “The Ndidi thing started over the summer and the player had Manchester United, Everton, Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia and Besiktas, right at the last minute when he went to Besiktas there was Everton and Al-Ahli trying to hijack the deal.
“So, Ndidi was waiting and waiting and waiting because Leicester went down. He was on quite a strong Premier League wage, but the actual transfer fee was only between seven and ten million at different points in the window, and Besiktas were able to get the player for 7 million euros (£6m) in the end.”
Now – after Fabrizio Romano provided an update – the Nigeria international seems more receptive to an offer from Everton if one arrives.
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Wilfred Ndidi now offering himself to Premier League clubs as Fabrizio Romano hints Nigerian would consider Everton
Despite playing 90 minutes more often than not for Besiktas so far this season, the 29-year-old is eager to leave Turkey and come back to England.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said: “The player would be keen on returning to Premier League. Manchester United are aware of this chance, but at the moment, Manchester United have not made any bid or any proposal. The player is ready in terms of contract side even to accept eventually what it could take to go back to Premier League at an important level.”
With Everton currently four points away from the UEFA Champions League qualification spots, the Toffees can surely be considered to be playing at the “important level” Ndidi is seeking.
It sounds like Manchester United have first dibs on the Nigerian, but if those at Old Trafford refuse to act, a move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium seems quite feasible if Everton renew their interest.
Tim Iroegbunam might grow frustrated if Everton sign Wilfred Ndidi
Tim Iroegbunam benefitted while Idrissa Gueye was at the Africa Cup of Nations, playing 90 minutes in four of the last five Premier League games.
The 22-year-old has impressed, but the potential arrival of an experienced player in Ndidi, one who can boast 220 Premier League appearances, would surely shove him down the pecking order.
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Gueye is now back after helping Senegal win the Africa Cup of Nations too, so Iroegbunam is likely to drop to the bench even if a deal for Ndidi does not happen.
So, if an agreement is found with Besiktas for the Nigerian, Iroegbunam – and potentially Merlin Rohl too – will surely question when his next start will come.
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