Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Eintracht Frankfurt defender Evan Ndicka and the move makes sense for a number of reasons.
Not many things often make sense in football, but Liverpool’s reported interest in Evan Ndicka is something that is easy to understand.
The Eintracht Frankfurt defender is set to become a free agent in the summer after apparently rejecting a final contract offer to remain playing his football in the Bundesliga.
Ibrahima Konate and Van Dijk is the first-choice partnership for Liverpool at the back, but the Frenchman could benefit from rotation as he continues to develop, while the Netherlands skipper isn’t getting any younger and needs to be taken out of the firing line from time to time.
Ndicka has the stature for a Premier League centre back with his six foot three frame allowing him to tower over most strikers. He has also recorded the highest number of blocks in the Bundesliga so far this term showing his willingness to put his foot in.
On top of the 23-year-old’s obvious talents, signing him would be a huge bonus for Klopp as he would secure a massive coup at no cost – leaving the transfer budget for much-needed midfield reinforcements.
It has been apparent the Reds are needing a new centre half and the sought-after Josko Gvardiol has expressed his love for Liverpool, but an eyewatering £90million rumoured price tag would mean midfield additions would have to suffer and that simply cannot happen for another season.
Liverpool have played the waiting game for Jude Bellingham and Klopp will be hoping that his patience pays off. With the 19-year-old likely to cost over £100m, it is hard to imagine FSG sanctioning a move for the Croatian defender in the same summer. Bellingham is the priority and always has been for Klopp.
Next comes Mason Mount. Klopp has reportedly seen an opportunity with the 24-year-old and is ready to pounce if his contract negotiations continue to stall heading into the summer. With Chelsea potentially needing to offload players to meet Financial Fair Play regulations, Mount will be sacrificed if a new deal cannot be agreed with Todd Boehly said to be demanding £50m for the England international.
It won’t be easy for Liverpool to secure a talent like Ndicka going for no transfer fee with Arsenal, Tottenham, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain all said to hold an interest in the Frenchman. Klopp may be hoping his charm works once again.
The Reds have previous with signing centre halves from the Bundesliga as a free agent after they secured Matip from Schalke back in 2016. He then went on to lift every major honour for Liverpool. Surely that’s enough inspiration for Ndicka to use if he is struggling to make a decision on his future.
