Report: Roma eye £24m star Arsenal & Tottenham have wanted for years

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AS Roma have reportedly shortlisted Eintracht Frankfurt defender Evan Ndicka for the January transfer window, with Arsenal and Tottenham both rumoured to be interested in signing the centre-back for years.

According to CalcioMercato, Jose Mourinho wants to sign a top-quality centre-back in January, with Ajax superstar Jurrien Timber also on the Portuguese manager’s wishlist for the upcoming winter window. Yet Roma have also set their sights on signing Ndicka, who could be available at a bargain price.

The Bundesliga star’s contract is set to expire next summer, and whilst Frankfurt reportedly wanted £24m for Ndicka, this price tag is almost certain to drop in January if the defender still doesn’t sign a new deal, a move that plays heavily in Roma’s favour.

Labelled as a ‘phenom’ by former Frankfurt boss Adi Hutter as per the Bundesliga’s official website, Ndicka has been a reported target for Arsenal and Tottenham for what feels like forever, with both north London sides getting in the queue early for the 23-year-old UEFA Europa League champion.

Ndicka was a key player for Frankfurt’s European title win last season, however, it now looks like the centre-back will be ending his time with the German club next year, with news over a new contract sparse, to say the least. And Roma could now make a move for the versatile defender.

Whilst Arsenal and Tottenham have held an interest in Ndicka for some time, Roma’s growing profile under Mourinho could make the Serie A side quite the alluring prospect for the Frankfurt star, especially if the defender is available on the cheap this January.

Ndicka signing could be a bargain deal for Roma in January

January is fast approaching, with the 2022 FIFA World Cup just around the horizon as well as the final push towards the November break, and the winter window this time around could be a hectic one based on what happens out in Qatar and due to the number of quality players heading into the final months of their contract, such as Ndicka.

The defender could be sold for pennies if Frankfurt are desperate enough to generate some income. And for Roma, signing Ndicka could be quite the coup for Mourinho’s side given how good the Frenchman has been over the years and his age of just 23.