Man United Transfer News: Manchester United have jumped headfirst into the race for Roma defender Evan Ndicka, looking to beat rivals Liverpool to the punch. Reports coming out of Italy suggest the battle for his signature is heating up, with United making a formal inquiry to land the Ivory Coast international for a fee around £39 million. This sudden interest puts United right in the mix with Tottenham and Liverpool, both of whom have kept tabs on the former Eintracht Frankfurt man for a few years now.
Man United Transfer News: Manchester United Eye Shock Move to Hijack Liverpool’s Pursuit of Evan Ndicka
European football expert Andy Brassell recently noted on talkSPORT that the 26-year-old is a rare market opportunity United shouldn’t pass up. Brassell points out that the French-born centre-back is still one of the most underrated defenders in Europe, even after a string of top-tier performances in Serie A. Since moving to Roma on a free transfer, he has become a dependable, physically imposing presence in their backline.
Because Roma are currently under pressure to meet UEFA financial rules, they will likely have to sell a big-name player this summer to fix the books. This gives United a massive opening to take advantage of Roma’s money troubles and grab a player who already knows what it takes to win, having lifted the Europa League in Germany.
Man United Transfer News: Should Michael Carrick Make Ndicka a Priority for the United Defense?
While Michael Carrick has done a good job steadying the ship since taking over, the current defence still lacks recovery speed and the left-footed balance that Ndicka brings to the table. The Ivorian provides a real aerial threat and the kind of passing range that would help United build attacks much better from the left side. His real strength is his reading of the game and how well he covers ground, which is a sharp contrast to the slowing legs of Harry Maguire or the constant injury worries with Luke Shaw.
Admittedly, he can sometimes get caught out by smaller, quicker attackers who drift between the lines, and he has a habit of diving into tackles a bit too early. Even so, United really need a long-term partner for Lisandro Martinez who can handle the physical side of the Premier League.
Man United Transfer News: I expect United to pull the trigger on this deal in June, mostly because the price is a steal for a player just hitting his prime. With Liverpool seemingly looking at more expensive options, the door is wide open for United to land a defender who perfectly fits the aggressive, high-line style Carrick is trying to build. Signing Ndicka isn’t just a clever tactical move; it’s a necessary step to make sure United’s recent turnaround actually lasts.
Rohit Sarkar
Rohit Sarkar is a passionate writer with a deep love for multiple sports, but his favourites are football and cricket. Since 2017, he has been covering football and cricket news with a keen eye for detail and compelling storytelling. He is a fan of the beautiful game and a specialist…