Ruben Amorim will be pleased to see that Manchester United have made a rapid start in this transfer window.
Manchester United have already landed Matheus Cunha in a £62.5m move from Wolves, and talks are ongoing with Brentford over a deal to sign Bryan Mbeumo – after the Cameroon international made it clear he wanted to join the Red Devils.
Now, Manchester United are looking further back on the pitch, as talks have started to sign a new defender in Evan Ndicka.
Manchester United initiate contact to sign Evan Ndicka
RMC Sport are now claiming that Manchester United have opened talks to sign the Ivorian, as defensive reinforcements are eyed at Old Trafford.
Ndicka – who Claudio Ranieri called a “warrior” after he played every minute of the 2024/25 Serie A campaign – has also been the subject of an approach from Tottenham, according to the French news outlet.
🇨🇮 Evan Ndicka's first goal for Roma 💪#ASRoma #UEL pic.twitter.com/1g9vGosPCI
— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) December 1, 2024
RMC Sport add that the Roma No.5 is valued at €40m (£34m) – and he is currently considering his options, suggesting that a move away from the Eternal City is something he would be open to this summer.
Ndicka, who Bournemouth also like, has a contract with Roma running until June 2028, so the Italian giants have no urgent need to sell the 25-year-old.
Mikel Arteta could be annoyed if Ruben Amorim lands Evan Ndicka
Arsenal have also held talks about signing Ndicka, but that is not the only reason why the Ivory Coast international moving to Old Trafford would potentially anger Mikel Arteta.
The Spaniard has actually wanted to sign the Paris-born defender for five years.
Roma sharing their #UEL success with Evan Ndicka, just days after he collapsed on the pitch against Udinese 🙏 pic.twitter.com/aUKgsBHZDi
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 18, 2024
Arteta wanted Ndicka way back in 2020 shortly after replacing Unai Emery, but an agreement never came to fruition, and the centre-back department eventually ended up in good health anyway through the arrivals of Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba.
Now, however, Arsenal want Ndicka again to provide cover for the pair, although the long-term target for Arteta could end up moving to Manchester United after the fresh approach, if not Tottenham.