Man Utd and Spurs turn attention to Arsenal-linked Roma centre-back

Evan Ndicka is a target for Premier League clubs (Picture: Getty Images)

Manchester United and Tottenham are both interested in Roma centre-back Evan Ndicka, who has already caught the attention of Arsenal, according to reports.

The 25-year-old defender has long been linked with a move to the Premier League, even before he joined Roma from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2023.

The Ivory Coast international instead moved to the Italian capital on a free transfer, signing a five-year contract.

Since then he has become a key figure in the Roma starting XI, making 85 appearances in just two seasons, scoring once.

Ndicka was named in the Bundesliga Team of the Season in his final year with Frankfurt and in the Serie A Team of the Season this season with Roma.

As Roma finished fifth in Serie A and had to settle for a return to the Europa League, the towering central defender continues to be linked with a move.

Arsenal were linked with a move earlier this year, but were reportedly informed that Roma had no intention of letting Ndicka leave.

Ndicka has shone at the heart of the Roma defence (Picture: Getty Images)

That has not quelled speculation and reports from France – where Ndicka was born – have linked Manchester United and Tottenham with possible bids this summer.

The report from RMC Sport, via French Football Weekly, states that Ndicka is valued at as little as €40m (£33.7m).

However, that seems improbably low given the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United have also been touted as interested parties.

If Roma were to sanction a move then there would likely be a bidding way and Ndicka would have his pick of a string of huge clubs.

Ndicka stands 6’4″ tall (Picture: Getty Images)

In a recent interview with L’Equipe, the Ivorian refused to be drawn on rumours surrounding his future and insisted he remained fully committed to Roma.

‘I’m not pretending that I don’t see the rumours,’ Ndicka told the French publication last month. But I have respect in Rome and I respect them

‘I have three years remaining on my contract, we will see what happens later.’

Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim hopes for a number of signings this summer (Picture: Getty Images)

Manchester United are expected to have an extremely busy transfer window, both in terms of incomings and outgoings.

Central defence is not their top priority, with both signings and sales in attack top of the to-do list.

Their transfer budget and pull in the market was hampered badly by their defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final, which saw Spurs grab the spot in the Champions League for the forthcoming season.

Spurs are now expected to invest heavily, but first they must appoint a new manager after the sacking of Ange Postecoglou.

Brentford boss Thomas Frank is expected to be hired as the Australian’s replacement.