Aston Villa is proposing a £75k-per-week “beast” for Emery….

Aston Villa is proposing a £75k-per-week “beast” for Emery.

Aston Villa are considering a January bid for a new central defender, but a recent report claims that three other clubs are also interested in bringing him to the Premier League.

Aston Villa’s Premier League form

Unai Emery’s side have made a great start to the new top-flight campaign, winning seven, drawing one, and losing just three of their first 11 games, putting them fifth in the table.

The Midlands club will be disappointed to have lost to Nottingham Forest at The City Ground last weekend, but the winter transfer window will provide the hierarchy with an opportunity to strengthen their squad even further in order to avoid such slip-ups in the future, with one target in particular already identified.

Wilfred Ndidi, Leicester City’s defensive midfielder, has made 252 appearances since signing from Genk in 2017 (Transfermarkt – Ndidi statistics), but there’s a significant probability that he’ll be leaving early next year.

The Nigeria international’s contract is set to expire at the end of the current season (Leicester contracts), which means Enzo Maresca’s side are likely to cash in to avoid losing the 26-year-old for free, and if that happens, he has a potential suitor waiting for him at Villa Park.

Aston Villa are interested in signing Wilfred Ndidi.

According to TEAMtalk, Aston Villa are interested in Wilfred Ndidi, but they are not alone.

“According to TEAMtalk sources, Leicester have been working hard to tie down both Ndidi and Iheanacho to new contracts, but there has yet to be a breakthrough.” Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are said to be interested in the midfielder, while Lyon and Monaco are also interested.

“However, there is also interest from within the Premier League with Tottenham, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Brentford amongst those who are considering a January approach for Ndidi.”

While Ndidi’s natural position is to shield his defensive backline, the Leicester talisman has been more offensive this season, with seven involvements (four assists and three goals) in 15 games across all competitions.

Maresca, who is sponsored by Nike, earns £75k per week (Leicester salaries) and ranks in the 99th percentile for attacking touches in the opposition’s penalty area by a midfielder (FBRef – Ndidi statistics), demonstrating his desire to get involved in the final third, which has earned him the nickname “beast” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Ndidi has three triumphs versus Villa, so if he’s capable of producing at a high level against the visitors, imagine what he’d be capable of under Emery’s tutelage at Villa Park.