Report: Ndidi passes Leicester medical ahead of £15M switch

Leicester City has made an early plunge into the January sales, completing a transfer worth around £15 million for Genk teenager Wilfred Ndidi subject to a work permit, reports the Guardian's Mark Dobson.

The 19-year-old defensive midfielder is believed to have agreed to a five-year contract in the east Midlands set to begin at the turn of the year, and is tipped as a long-term and much-needed replacement for N'Golo Kante, who departed for Chelsea in the summer.

The two-time Nigeria international provides precious versatility for Claudio Ranieri. Leicester's options at right-back are now strengthened, particularly given the barely adequate outings by Danny Simpson and Luis Hernandez, and the youngster initially made his name as a centre-back for Genk when he joined from Nathaniel Boys in Lagos.

But ultimately, he'll bolster the deep-lying midfield berth that has been found wanting during the Foxes' limp title defence.

His current agreement in Belgium is until 2020, but barring unforeseen work permit issues, he'll link up with compatriot Ahmed Musa in Leicester, with both set to stay available over January and February due to Nigeria's failure to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations.