Wilfred Ndidi Faces Uncertain Besiktas Future

Nigeria international Wilfred Ndidi could be set for an early exit from Besiktas, with reports linking the Super Eagles midfielder to a potential move to the Saudi Pro League just one year after arriving in Turkey.

Ndidi joined the Istanbul giants from Leicester City last summer in an €8 million deal, but speculation over his future has persisted throughout his debut campaign. During the January transfer window, the former Premier League star was linked with a return to England, although no transfer materialised.

The 29-year-old’s prospects at Besiktas appear to have changed following the club’s disappointing season and subsequent managerial overhaul. Italian coach Vincenzo Italiano has been appointed to lead the Black Eagles and is reportedly preparing a significant tactical rebuild ahead of the new campaign.

According to Turkish publication Ajanshaber, Ndidi is not considered a central figure in Italiano’s long-term plans, prompting Besiktas to consider offers for the Nigerian midfielder during the summer transfer window.

Although Ndidi still has two years remaining on his contract, the Turkish club is reportedly prepared to sanction his departure if they receive an offer exceeding €10 million, allowing them to make a profit on the fee paid to Leicester City.

Several clubs from the Saudi Pro League are understood to be monitoring the situation closely, with the Gulf nation continuing to attract experienced international players through ambitious recruitment drives.

Despite producing a number of solid performances during his first season at Besiktas, the club’s restructuring and change in technical direction have accelerated speculation surrounding his future.

Once regarded as one of Europe’s most sought-after defensive midfielders, Ndidi has not been strongly linked with any major European clubs in recent months, making a move to Saudi Arabia an increasingly realistic option.

With the summer transfer window gathering pace, the Super Eagles star now faces an important decision as he weighs the next chapter of his career while seeking regular football ahead of Nigeria’s upcoming international assignments.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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