Leicester confident of sealing January deal for Wilfred Ndidi after making £16m bid for Genk midfielder

Leicester have tabled a £16million for Genk midfielder Wilfred Ndidi.

The Belgian club want £20million for the Nigeria international but the Foxes fully expect to complete a deal early in the January transfer window.

The 19-year-old is viewed as one of the brightest prospects in Belgian football and Genk know they are facing a losing battle to keep him.

Leicester have tabled a £16million bid for Genk's 19-year-old midfielder Wilfred Ndidi (right)

Ndidi challenges Danijel Milicevic of Gent during a Jupiler League match last year

But they are determined to maximise his value when the transfer window reopens with both clubs remaining in contact with a view to concluding a January deal.

Ndidi is viewed as the long term replacement for N'Golo Kante, who left for Chelsea in the summer.

Claudio Ranieri brought midfielder Nampalys Mendy to the King Power Stadium in a £13m deal last summer, but he has been restricted to just one Premier League appearance so far due to a troublesome ankle injury.

Foxes boss Claudio Ranieri is keen to strengthen his squad during the January transfer window

Ndidi is viewed as a replacement for N'Golo Kante (left), who joined Chelsea in the summer