Barcelona target shock move for player reborn under Chelsea manager

James Shearman

• Updated: 6 Jun 2024 21:15 BST
• 3 min read

Barcelona are reportedly weighing up a move for Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi.

According to Spanish outlet Sport, Ndidi would join Hansi Flick's side as a replacement for Oriol Romeu, who only signed for the Blaugrana last summer.

The former Chelsea player is now 32 years of age and no longer seen as part of the Catalan club's future.

READ MORE: Latest Barcelona transfer rumours

Barca have also been linked with a move for Real Sociedad's Mikel Merino but Ndidi is seen as a more viable option due to their financial struggles.

The 27-year-old is in the prime of his career and would add something different to Flick's midfield.

Barcelona are well-known for their tiki-taka style but Ndidi's best attributes are mostly physical.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca's impact on Ndidi

Ndidi joined Leicester as the replacement for Chelsea-bound N'Golo Kante and has spent much of his time at the King Power Stadium as a ball-winning midfielder.

However, now-Blues boss Enzo Maresca had other ideas for the Nigeria international.

Indeed, Maresca utilised Harry Winks as a deep-lying playmaker, allowing Ndidi the freedom to play more of a box-to-box role.

He performed extremely well this season and was pivotal to Leicester's Championship title success.

His 12 goal contributions in all competitions in the 2023-24 campaign bettered any of his previous efforts.

Whether Barcelona would want to employ Ndidi as a 'number six' or a 'number eight' is unknown but his versatility can only be a positive thing.