The head coach of Turkish side Besiktas Vincenzo Italiano has put an end to speculations surrounding the future of the captain of the senior national team of Nigeria Wilfred Ndidi, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Ndidi has been linked with a move away with reports linking him with two teams in Saudi Arabia and also newly promoted English Premier League side Hull City.
Besiktas were said to be open to his exit and have targeted players to fill his role, but Italiano has backtrack on that idea, and will have the Nigerian who just returned to training from an injury knock in his team and plans for next season.
The coach wants a player for the defensive midfield role who is aggressive, tough, dominates in duels, can utilize every area of the pitch, and has a profile close to Ibrahima Sangaré.
Beşiktaş worked on names that fit this profile. However, the desired progress has not been achieved with the players discussed so far.
The Italian coach believes that if a top-level player fitting this profile cannot be transferred, they can continue with a rotation of Wilfred Ndidi and Salih Özcan in the role until January, and therefore the transfer could be postponed to the mid-season break.
Daniel Martins
