Arsenal have been linked with a move for Eintracht Frankfurt defender Evan Ndicka as they go in search of a second central defensive partner for William Saliba.
Gabriel Maghaeles has featured alongside the Frenchman at centre back so far this season, helping to keep three clean sheets, but Il Romanista have reported that the Gunners are targeting Ndicka ahead of the expiry of his contract in 2023 as Mikel Arteta looks to continue strengthening his side.
Here is all you need to know about Arsenal's next potential signing including who he is, his career so far and what’s been said about him.
Who is Evan Ndicka?
Ndicka is a French defender who plays as a centre back for Frankfurt in the Bundesliga, having joined from Ligue 1 side Auxerre in 2018 for a reported fee of €5.5million on a five-year-deal.
Born on August 20, 1999, in Paris, France, the 23-year-old started out his youth career with two local amateur sides before joining Auxerre at the age of 13 in 2012. He made his professional debut in January 2017, signing his first professional contract the following month, and featured throughout the 2017-18 season before joining Frankfurt that summer.
On the international stage, Ndicka has featured for France’s youth squads all the way up from the Under-16’s to the Under-20’s, before making his sole appearance for the U21’s in 2019. He is yet to be capped by the French senior squad.
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Career so far
When Ndicka broke through at Auxerre, the club were in Ligue 2. He made a total of 16 appearances for the French outfit, with 14 coming in the 2017-18 campaign, ahead of moving to Germany at the end of the season.
Since joining Frankfurt, the centre back has been a regular in the side and has recorded 153 appearances as a result, contributing with 10 goals and nine assists. In 2021/22, he made 44 appearances across all competitions as he helped Frankfurt win the Europa League, while he was named in the Bundesliga Team of the Season.
In the 2019/20 campaign, he was an unused substitute for both of Frankfurt’s Europa League Group F ties against Arsenal. They lost 3-0 at home to the Gunners in their opening game, before winning the return fixture 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium.
What’s been said about him?
Arsenal were first linked with signing Ndicka back in February following a report from German outlet BILD which claimed that Frankfurt would look to sell their prized asset for around £17.5million in the summer, following failed negotiations in extending his contract.
Ndicka remains at the club, although Il Romanista claim the Gunners are still interested. They will have to rival AS Roma for his signature, but stand a good chance of succeeding in their pursuit as Frankfurt consider a sale in January to avoid losing him for nothing next year.
The 6ft 4in left-footed centre back previously received great praise from former Frankfurt head coach Adi Hutter, who said: "I honestly have to say that I was surprised by his development. Evan has developed phenomenally. He's very attentive in the analysis of his own game. He's very modest and always takes a lot on board."
