Leicester City successfully blocked Wilfred Ndidi’s proposed loan move to AS Monaco, with the Premier League strugglers unwilling to lose the Nigerian midfielder during their relegation battle, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
According to L’Equipe, the French club had tabled an £18m loan offer with a £2m add-ons and obligation to buy for the 28-year-old midfielder, but the Foxes have rejected the approach.
Sources at Caught Offside revealed that Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side considered Ndidi too important to leave in the middle of the season as they fight for Premier League survival.
The Nigeria international, who recently returned to training following a thigh injury sustained in December 2024, has made 15 Premier League appearances this season, providing four assists despite his limited playing time due to fitness issues.
Ndidi played a crucial role in Leicester’s Championship title triumph last season, featuring 32 times and contributing four goals and five assists as the Foxes secured immediate promotion back to the top flight.
However, their return to the Premier League has been challenging, with the club currently sitting in 18th place, one point from safety, making the retention of experienced players like Ndidi crucial to their survival hopes.
The midfielder’s potential departure had been discussed amid Leicester’s financial challenges and pressures related to Profit and Sustainability Rules, which have forced the club to consider offloading key players.
Van Nistelrooy had last weekend provided an update on Ndidi’s fitness, saying, “Wilf is making good progress. He’s been partially involved in team training.
“This week, we aim to integrate him back into full team training, to have him ready next week.”
The former Premier League champions are banking on Ndidi’s experience and versatility as they look to climb out of the relegation zone in the coming weeks.
