BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 23: Leander Dedoncker of Aston Villa during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Brentford FC at Villa Park on October 23, 2022 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Dan Bardell thinks Aston Villa should sign Wilfred Ndidi on a free transfer from Leicester City as his contract runs out in the summer.
The Villans have been in desperate need of a defensive midfield option following the season-ending injury to Boubacar Kamara.
With the summer transfer window around the corner, Unai Emery could make yet another signing from the Foxes after signing Youri Tielemans.
Bardell believes that the signing of Ndidi could prove to be a smart one as Villa look to build a potentially Champions League-ready squad.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bardell said: “He’s out of contract in the summer so will be on a free. Villa have obviously taken Tielemans on a free from Leicester last year. I’d say he’s a player that’s gone a little bit stale at Leicester.
“On a free, Villa don’t have that type of player. With the right coaching, I think there’s more to come out of him. He’s more mobile than Dendoncker.
“There’s a space for that kind of player in the Villa squad who perhaps wouldn’t play every week. I think Villa will bring in some big players if they qualify for the Champions League but you also have to be smart and that’s exactly what I think Tielemans was, an absolute no-brainer.
“That’s the type of signing that makes a lot of sense as a player that can come in and improve the squad. I wouldn’t rule that one out.”
Should Aston Villa sign Wilfred Ndidi?
As far as defensive midfield options go, at Villa Park, there is a general lack of them available to Emery.
Kamara suffered an injury which could see him out until close to Christmas, never mind being back in time for pre-season.
Dendoncker was loaned out to Napoli and has failed to make an impact in Serie A so will likely be sold over the summer.
Despite being the most natural option, Tim Iroegbunam hasn’t been trusted to start more than one Premier League game.
By comparison, Ndidi is a player with plenty of experience with over 270 appearances for Leicester since joining in January 2017.
At one stage of his career at the King Power, he was linked with some elite sides but has found himself in the Championship this season.
He has only featured in 30 games this season with 24 of those appearances being starts. He has scored four and assisted five as his side has achieved promotion.
On a free transfer, he would represent great value for a player with his level of experience. As Bardell says, it feels like a no-brainer.
