Liverpool are in the fight for one of the Bundesliga’s hottest defensive properties, as they look to strengthen after a disappointing season.
Evan Ndicka, a Europa League winner with Eintracht Frankfurt who has starred in the Champions League this season, is available on a free transfer in the summer after turning down a final contract offer from the German club.
That has alerted a host of top European clubs including the Reds, who have followed the 6ft 3in centre half since he emerged as a teenager with Auxerre and at the France youth levels. Arsenal and Tottenham have also been closely following the development of the 23 year old, who heads the Bundesliga stats for defensive blocks this season.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has spoken openly of rebuilding in the summer, and a new centre half is one of his priorities along with midfield reinforcements.
Ndicka ticks all the boxes as far as Liverpool are concerned, because he is available on a free and is the perfect profile. He is also versatile as a left sided defender who has covered in the left back role, and even occasionally as a holding midfielder.
The fact that he is available on a free transfer would allow Klopp to focus his summer transfer kitty on his midfield rebuild, with the expensively priced Jude Bellingham and Mason Mount amongst his targets.
But they are also aware that Ndicka will want first team football, and with Ibrahima Konate - who he played with at U20 and U21 level for France - forming the first choice centre half pairing alongside Virgil van Dijk at Anfield, that is no guarantee.
Other Euro giants such as PSG and Barcelona have been linked, but Ndicka is yet to decide on his destination…though as a Parisian, the French side may have an advantage if they choose to seriously pursue him.
