Thomas Tuchel’s need for a defensive midfielder has been well documented and the Bavarian club were closed to signing Palhniha from Fulham on the summer transfer window deadline day, but the deal fell through in the last minute.

Bayern were however dealt a heavy blow after the midfielder, on Thursday, penned a new five-year deal with the English Premier League club.

The Portuguese seems almost off the market with the Cottagers now set to demand a price in the region of €60m for the player, Bayern have listed six other players ahead of the January transfer window and Ndidi tops the list of the players wanted by the club.

“Wilfred Ndidi (26), who is now in second division with Leicester City after relegation from the Premier League, would like to work with Tuchel. According to the ‘kicker’, the trail to the Nigerian was hot – will it now be picked up again?” the website wrote.

Meanwhile, Leicester City are keen to negotiate a contract renewal with Ndidi, whose contract expires at the end of this season.