Wilfred Ndidi, once linked with a move to Celtic, is now reportedly available for just £9 million following Leicester City’s relegation from the Premier League, with the reduced fee stemming from a buyout clause triggered by the drop.

Journalist Rob Dorsett has reported that the Nigerian international is “more likely to be Bundesliga-bound than the PL”, with Mainz, Hoffenheim and other German clubs circling.

The £9 million release clause was built into Ndidi’s contract as a Premier League relegation trigger, activated after Leicester fell into the Championship.

Ndidi played under current Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers from 2019 until 2023, becoming a key part of Leicester’s midfield during one of the club’s strongest periods in the top flight. Rodgers relied heavily on the Nigerian’s ability to break up play and dictate tempo from deeper positions, qualities that helped him gain a strong reputation across the league.

Celtic were previously linked with Ndidi, but the midfielder remained out of financial reach. Even with the new £9 million clause, the fee remains beyond what the Hoops are likely to commit to a single signing.

Rodgers has since focused on younger, development-based options in line with the club’s wider recruitment approach.

With Bundesliga clubs now leading the chase and English sides also monitoring the situation, Ndidi is expected to make a move soon. The German top flight appears to be his most probable destination, offering both competitive football and a fresh start after Leicester’s fall.

While his name has been loosely tied to Celtic in the past, the chances of a reunion with Rodgers in Glasgow now look remote.