Manchester United have decided to pursue highly-rated AS Roma defender Evan Ndicka, reports said. The 25-year-old Ndicka has long been linked to reigning European champions PSG and United's Premier League rivals Arsenal and Newcastle United. However, nothing materialised as Roma were hell-bent on keeping the centre-back, whose market value is said to be around €30 to €40 million.
Left-footed Ndicka could take injury-ravaged Lisandro Martinez's spot in Rúben Amorim's line-up. With the future of Victor Lindelof remaining uncertain, there is no doubt that the team needs fresh signings. However, Manchester United are cash-strapped and have no European football to lure top talent. Ndicka is well within the range the team can afford if they can convince him with the project in hand, GiveMeSport said in a report.
It was earlier in January that the team reluctantly announced the asking price for their prized player, whose current contract runs through to June 2028. Unconfirmed reports later claimed that he turned down an Arsenal offer to stay in the Italian capital.
However, Tottenham Hotspur, who recently defeated United in an all-English Europa League final, have emerged as a new contender for the Ivorian's signature. On the verge of a player mutiny over the sacking of manager Ange Postecoglou, they need players who will work under his successor’s plans without complaints. They also have Champions League football to garner Ndicka's attention. It remains to be seen how things pan out when the summer transfer window opens.
Who is Evan Ndicka?
The Paris-born defender represented France earlier in his career, playing for every team from Under-16s through to Under-21s. However, with no dearth of talent in France regardless of position, this could be one of the reasons he switched allegiance to Ivory Coast. He has earned 20 caps so far for the three-time CAF Africa Cup of Nations winners.
Ndicka arrived in Rome on a free transfer two years ago from Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt. Alongside Gianluca Mancini, Ndicka is often referred to as one of the "two pillars" of the team's defensive setup. In the recently concluded season, he played every minute of his team’s Serie A campaign — reportedly becoming the first player to do so in about two decades.
Roma reportedly have a list of eight "untouchables" in their current squad, around whom the team is expected to be built for the coming season, irrespective of who the manager is. Ndicka and Mancini are included on this list alongside Mile Svilar, Manu Koné, Niccolo Pisilli, Angeliño, Paulo Dybala, and Matías Soule, reports said.
