Arsenal transfer news: Target offered contract despite agreeing Gunners move

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Eintracht Frankfurt have reportedly offered Evan Ndicka a new contract despite rumours this week that Arsenal have a deal in place to sign the 23-year-old centre-back.

According to Bild, the French defender has a new three-and-a-half-year contract from Frankfurt on the table despite CalcioMercatoWeb recently reporting that Arsenal had won the race to sign Ndicka, with the 23-year-old’s current deal set to expire in the summer.

As per the report, Frankfurt’s proposal to Ndicka would make the Bundesliga star one of the club’s biggest earners alongside the likes of Kevin Trapp and Mario Gotze. Though it is still unlikely that the German side will be able to match whatever Arsenal can offer.

The north London side are expected to look for a centre-back in the summer transfer window as Mikel Arteta looks set to guide Arsenal to their first UEFA Champions League finish since 2016. And Ndicka would be a great signing in the current market.

Regarded as one of the best defenders in Germany, the left-footed centre-back would be the ideal cover for the likes of Gabriel Magalhaes, with Ben White moving over to right-back and Rob Holding Arsenal’s only real option in central defence from the bench.

Indeed, Arsenal could still find themselves landing Ndicka in 2023. However, Frankfurt’s move to hand the defender a new contract that will greatly increase the centre-back’s wage is one that could concern the north London side, who also won’t be able to offer the 23-year-old regular minutes.

Arsenal signing Ndicka could be a double-edged sword

There’s no denying that Ndicka is a quality talent, with the defender one of the best in his position in the Bundesliga and a player who could add some real depth to Arsenal’s squad. However, being a rotation player might not align with what the centre-back himself actually wants.

After all, Ndicka is currently a regular for a Champions League team, and signing for Arsenal could see the defender become nothing but a bench player for Arteta’s side despite the obvious qualities the Frenchman will bring to the Gunners if a deal is completed.