Erik Ten Hag reportedly blocked a last-minute loan bid from Eintracht Frankfurt to sign Victor Lindelof, with the defender seemingly viewed by the Bundesliga side as a replacement for Arsenal target Evan Ndicka.
According to Bild, the reigning UEFA Europa League champions made a late loan offer to sign Lindelof, with Frankfurt working on submitting a bid for two days. However, Ten Hag rejected the bid as the German side failed to bring in cover and a potential replacement for Ndicka.
According to Sport Bild journalist Christian Falk, the 23-year-old French defender is a top target for Arsenal, and with Ndicka’s contract expiring at the end of this season, there is every chance that the Gunners could make an offer for the youngster to bring him to north London this summer.
And for Frankfurt, Lindelof had been identified as an ideal replacement for the defender, with the Swedish international playing a bit-part role for United this season with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez viewed as Ten Hag’s first-choice centre-back pairing.
With Luke Shaw also getting minutes in the position, it makes sense why Lindelof would be a target for Frankfurt, with the former Benfica star a player who could flourish in the Bundesliga and thrive for one of the best clubs in the division, whilst also playing UEFA Champions League football.
Indeed, with Frankfurt’s interest in Lindelof now known, it is an encouraging sign for the likes of Arsenal that the German side are actively looking for a replacement for Ndicka, with the defender now seemingly set to leave the Bundesliga club in the summer for free.
Frankfurt attempt to sign Lindelof is big for Arsenal
Arsenal might have signed a left-footed centre-back in January in Polish international Jakub Kiwior, but based on Frankfurt’s attempt to recruit Lindelof, there’s a strong chance that Ndicka is ready to leave Germany, with the Gunners still seemingly interested in the Frenchman.
With Rob Holding expected to be one of the few players who leaves Arsenal this summer, a move for Ndicka could be a wise decision from the Gunners, especially of the centre-back announces his intention to let his contract run down at the end of the season.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
