Liverpool are interested in signing Eintracht Frankfurt centre-back Evan Ndicka on a free transfer.
That’s according to journalist Ben Jacobs. Speaking to The Football Terrace, Jacobs suggested that Liverpool could be part of a ‘hot pursuit’ of Ndicka from top European teams this summer.
“This is a player that is hotly being pursued and will be tremendous value in the summer, assuming that no new contract is agreed with Eintracht Frankfurt,” he explained.
“There’s a mad, mad chase on all across Europe for the 23-year-old. Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea potentially. Liverpool have kept an eye on him and a whole variety of others all across Europe. PSG is another option.
“Top player, excellent value, 6 foot 4, modern defender, great season so far for Eintracht Frankfurt, can chip in with goals as well.
“There’s two things to quickly say here. Number one is that we have to bear in mind that a summer move is going to be absolutely a mad dash if the player’s available on a free transfer. The second thing is that naturally anything would be complicated should a new deal be signed. But at the moment the feeling is that the player is very seriously available on a free transfer.”
Midfield not the only issue for Liverpool
Now we’re talking. This would be the kind of value in the market that Liverpool will be desperate for. Given the scale of the rebuild needed on the midfield, huge funds will have to be put aside this summer. But other areas of the pitch shouldn’t be neglected either. One such area of attention should be the centre of defence.
With that in mind, Virgil van Dijk’s recent injury is said to have sparked Liverpool into looking at options for the January window.
Although that might seem hasty, there has to be an acknowledgment that the Dutchman isn’t getting any younger. Neither is Joel Matip as it happens. Both he and Van Dijk will turn thirty-two in the space of a month this summer.
As a result, Liverpool need a contingency plan. With doubts persisting over Joe Gomez’s long-term suitability as a starter, something needs to be done relatively soon.
Should Ndicka be available for nothing at the end of the season, he should be seriously looked at. Still just twenty-three, he has gone about making a name for himself in Germany and the rest of Europe.
Not all of that attention has been positive, though. Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher called the Frenchman ‘too aggressive’ when covering Frankfurt in the Champions League for CBS Sports (01/11/22). He may have to tone that down if he ends up in Liverpool’s notoriously high back-line. One to keep a watch over this, Reds.
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