Exclusive: Newcastle and Aston Villa both interested in signing 'world class' Championship player

Aston Villa and Newcastle are both looking into signing one of the Championship’s top midfielder players, TBR Football understands.

Both Villa and Newcastle are on the lookout for new talent this summer as they look to bolster their squads.

FFP restrictions will mean careful planning is needed on both parts.

However, one of the roads both Villa and Newcastle could take is looking down the free-agent route and TBR Football understands a key Leicester City player is on their list.

Aston Villa and Newcastle among clubs keen on Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi

TBR Football understands that Leicester City are battling to keep hold of midfielder Wilfred Ndidi beyond this season. The Championship promotion favourites are looking to offer Ndidi a new contract – with his current deal expiring this summer.

However, the Foxes are aware of the number of clubs who are keen to snap up the 27-year-old – who has over 250 appearances for the club since joining from Genk. TBR Football understands that up to a dozen clubs are keen on Ndidi – including Aston Villa, Newcastle, Brentford, Crystal Palace and Fulham.

With Profit and Sustainability still a consideration for a number of clubs – landing an experienced Premier League calibre midfielder for nothing is a huge attraction. Leicester also look set to lose Ndidi’s team-mate and compatriot Kelechi Iheanacho – also set to be out-of-contract this summer.

Enzo Maresca will be desperate to keep his man

There’s no denying that Wilfred Ndidi is a key player for Leicester and to lose him at this stage would be a bitter blow.

Going into the Premier League, Championship clubs need all the experience and quality they can get and Ndidi falls into both categories for the Foxes.

However, it is looking a touch grim for Leicester in terms of keeping their man.

On a free, Ndidi represents a significant bargain from many clubs in the top flight and with no new deal agreed as yet, this one looks like it might end in pain for the Foxes.

Lauded as a ‘world-class’ performer by Brendan Rodgers, Ndidi has featured more than 30 times for Leicester this season as they inch towards promotion.

Time is ticking, then, for Leicester to sort out a new deal here.

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