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Arsenal have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of Roma centre-back Evan N’Dicka, with the Serie A club reportedly open to a swift sale of the Ivorian international this summer due to mounting financial pressures.
N’Dicka, 25, was one of the standout defenders in Serie A last season, playing every single minute of Roma’s top-flight campaign, an achievement matched only by Lecce’s Federico Baschirotto among outfield players. His consistent performances have not gone unnoticed, attracting interest from several European heavyweights, including Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, and Newcastle United.
The Gunners are believed to be in the market for additional defensive reinforcements to provide depth and competition for William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães. Last month, Arsenal reportedly made an enquiry to assess N’Dicka’s availability, but Roma initially appeared unwilling to sell, having classified him as one of eight ‘untouchable’ players in their squad.
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However, according toCorriere dello Sport, Roma’s financial situation has forced a rethink. With the club under pressure to comply with UEFA’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations, the Giallorossi must now consider the “painful but understandable” sale of N’Dicka to avoid potential sanctions.
Arsenal - Evan Ndicka
Evan Ndicka (Image credit: Getty Images)
The €30 million (£26 million) already raised from the sales of Enzo Le Fée and Samuel Dahl, along with the expected departure of Nicola Zalewski, is reportedly not enough to meet FFP requirements. Roma had hoped to raise further funds through the sale of Angelino to Saudi club Al-Hilal, but that deal has collapsed, further compounding their need to generate revenue quickly.
In light of these developments, Roma officials are said to be exploring the English market in search of potential buyers, with the Premier League viewed as a likely destination for N’Dicka. This opens the door for Arsenal to reignite their interest in the former Eintracht Frankfurt defender, who joined Roma on a free transfer in 2023 and would now represent a significant profit for the club.
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Adding to his appeal, N’Dicka was recently named Ivory Coast’s Player of the Year, underlining his growing stature on the international stage.
Despite the speculation, N’Dicka has remained coy about his future. In a recent interview with L’Équipe, the defender reaffirmed his commitment to Roma, saying: “I’m not pretending that I don’t see the rumours. But I have respect in Rome, and I respect them. I have three years remaining on my contract, we will see what happens later.”
N’Dicka’s current deal runs until June 2028, but with Roma now open to offers and Arsenal still seeking a reliable backup in central defence, this is one transfer saga that could develop rapidly in the coming weeks.
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