Wilfred Ndidi: Nigeria midfielder linked with Besiktas to Al-Ittihad move

Wilfred Ndidi, the Nigeria international midfielder currently at Besiktas, is being linked with a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad. The 29-year-old defensive midfielder is under contract with the Istanbul club until 30 June 2028, but interest from Jeddah is understood to be firm as Saudi clubs continue to target established names from European leagues.

Ndidi only joined Besiktas on 7 August 2025 from Leicester City in an €8m deal and is currently valued at around €8m. Any approach from Al-Ittihad would therefore be expected to require a significant fee to persuade Besiktas to sell a player tied to a long-term contract after just one season in Turkey.

The Lagos-born midfielder, who stands at 1.83m and plays predominantly as a defensive midfielder, has yet to feature in this season’s UEFA Europa League qualifying campaign for Besiktas. His role and usage in the early weeks of the new campaign are likely to be watched closely as Al-Ittihad weigh up whether to step up their pursuit.

Ndidi built his reputation during a long spell at Leicester, where he won the FA Cup in 2021 as well as the English Super Cup the following season, before helping the club secure promotion as Championship winners in 2023-24. Those honours, combined with his experience in Europe, make him an attractive target for a Saudi Pro League side looking to add proven pedigree in midfield.

For now, Besiktas retain a player contracted for a further two years beyond this season, leaving any potential move dependent on both Al-Ittihad’s willingness to pay and the Turkish club’s stance on a sale.