Liverpool are plotting a move to sign highly-rated Frankfurt defender Evan Ndicka.
Jurgen Klopp could be set to bolster his squad and rebuild in the summer after a rather disappointing campaign by their standards. As well as in midfield, the centre-back position might be one area they strongly look at.
Virgil van Dijk hasn't been at his glowing best this season, while Joel Matip, Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate have struggled with form and fitness issues. This could see Klopp dip into the market for a new central defender.
If they do, then Ndicka will be at the top of their transfer list. Liverpool are in the race to sign the Frenchman from Bundesliga side Frankfurt, but will face stiff competition from across Europe.
Ndicka, 23, is out of contract this summer and chose not to renew his current deal at the Eagles. He will be available on a free transfer and Arsenal and Tottenham are also tracking his progress over a potential summer move.
But who is Ndicka?
Born in Paris, Ndicka started his professional career at Auxerre and made his debut in a 1-0 win over Clermont in January 2017. He featured a further 13 times for the Ligue 2 outfit, before making the switch to Frankfurt in the summer of 2018 for a reported fee of around £4.5million.
Ndicka signed a five-year deal at Deutsche Bank Park and quickly became an important member of the squad. He was an ever-present in the Frankfurt side as they battled for Champions League qualification, and in February 2019, his performances earned him the Bundesliga Rookie of the Month award.
The former France Under 21 international continued to show why the Eagles brought him in as he shone in both the Bundesliga and the Europa League during the 2019/20 season. A ligament injury at the start of the following campaign slowed Ndicka's progress but he soon regained his place in the side.
After a year out from European football, Frankfurt were back in Europe's second tier competition for 2021/22. During his first three years at the Eagles, Ndicka had clocked 95 appearances, scoring six times.
However, Ndicka really made a name for himself in his fourth season at the club. He impressed as Frankfurt stormed to the Europa League final against Rangers, having beaten the likes of Real Betis, Barcelona and West Ham on route to Seville.
Frankfurt came out on top on penalties at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium to lift the trophy for the second time as Ndicka won his first major honour of his career. As well as his team successes, Ndicka was named in the Bundesliga Team of the Season for his efforts.
That attracted interest from a whole host of European sides, but Ndicka chose to stay put and remain at Frankfurt for one final season. The Eagles were recently knocked out of the Champions League against Napoli, but Ndicka impressed and showed why some of the top teams in the continent are after him.
He has clocked 190 appearances in the professional career to date and arguably deserves a move to one of Europe's elite this summer. Liverpool are keen to sign him and he has the profile to suit a Klopp team. Ndicka is 6ft 3in, he is strong, physical and also a quick runner, which would suit their high line and pressing style of football.
It wouldn't take Ndicka long to settle in at Liverpool, either. He played alongside Konate in the France youth set-up and has the qualities to fit straight into how Klopp likes his teams to play.
