Several Premier League clubs are interested in the signing of young Genk defender Wilfred Ndidi according to Belgian news website HLN. West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion are scouting ahead of a potential move, along with newly-promoted Middlesbrough. However, they also face competition from Tottenham and Chelsea, with the two London clubs also keen to sign him.
The youngster has made a name for himself after debuting for Genk aged just 18, playing six games in the second half of the 2014-15 season. Last year, he improved massively on that and became a first-choice option and played 38 times – missing just two league and play-off games as they earned Europa League qualification.
However, it looks like Genk could now lose the 19-year-old, who appears to be attracting interest from a number of English teams. West Brom were among the teams who sent a scout to watch Genk play Lokeren in the Pro League at the weekend, while The Hammers and Middlesbrough have officials attending their Europa League tie against Lokomotiv Moscow later this week. Chelsea and Tottenham’s interest is more from afar at this stage, but they could both move for Ndidi.
The Nigerian’s performances for Genk, which saw him score four goals last year, have earned him call-ups to the Nigerian national team, for whom he has won three caps. This season so far, he’s played all four of Genk’s opening league games, with them lying in seventh, just three points off top spot.
