Liverpool enter transfer race for Frankfurt defender Evan Ndicka

Liverpool have entered the transfer race for Eintracht Frankfurt defender Evan Ndicka ahead of the summer transfer window.

Evan Ndicka, 23, has been a mainstay in Eintracht Frankfurt’s defence ever since joining as a teenager from French side AJ Auxerre in 2018. Among the highly-rated centre-backs in the Bundesliga, the former France under-21 international has gone onto play 174 times for Frankfurt thus far, chipping in with 11 goals and 10 assists. However, the defender is out of contract in June and has made it known to the Bundesliga club he will not sign a contract extension.

Ndicka is currently eligible to commit to pre-contract terms to any foreign club. Besides Liverpool, Barcelona, Real Betis, Sevilla, Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan are all reportedly keen on signing the 23-year-old on a free transfer from Frankfurt at the end of the season.

Liverpool have been defensively vulnerable this season

Liverpool have not been at their best this season and currently find themselves out of the top four places. One of the primary reasons for their struggles is the defence, with none of Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez living up to their usual high standards.

Van Dijk and Konate have endured an injury-hit campaign, while Matip appears to be past his best. Gomez has been error-prone at the back and could be offloaded in the summer if the Reds receive a suitable offer.

Owing to Liverpool’s defensive frailties, Jurgen Klopp is expected to be in the transfer market for a new central defender.

Evan Ndicka’s signing makes sense for Liverpool

Liverpool are looking to strengthen their defensive ranks with the signing of Evan Ndicka. The Reds have been heavily linked with a move for RB Leipzig star Josko Gvardiol in recent months, but Ndicka could prove to be the ideal and much cheaper alternative.

The 6ft 4in Frenchman has enjoyed another strong season for Frankfurt, playing 35 times across all competitions. He is a tall, strong and physically imposing player but also adept at bringing the ball out from the back and initiating attacks. In addition, Ndicka has 21 goal contributions in over 170 games for Frankfurt, showing the threat he provides when it comes to set-pieces.

The former French youth international is a fine young defender and would slot in nicely alongside Van Dijk and Konate in Liverpool’s defensive ranks. Ndicka will turn 24 in August, meaning he is still light years away from hitting his prime, and his mix of physicality and technical ability could be exactly what is needed in the Merseyside outfit’s ailing defence.

Ndicka’s signing makes a lot of sense for Liverpool as they would be getting a quality defender for free and that will help save some more cash for their midfield rebuild.