Manchester United should be 'all over' Evan Ndicka this summer - he would suit the Premier League perfectly.
That is the view of European football broadcaster Andy Brassell, who has labelled the Roma defender as among the very best in his position in Europe.
Evan Ndicka in action for Roma
5
Ndicka has proved a real bargain after joining Roma on a free transfer in 2023Credit: Getty
After a resurgence under interim boss Michael Carrick, United look to be closing in onChampions Leaguequalification.
The Red Devils are currently third in the Premier League, six points clear of Chelsea in sixth, with fifth place the cut-off point for making Europe's premier competition as it stands via the European Performance Spots.
With European football promising a much busier fixture calendar next season, United will need to bolster their ranks if they are to compete on all fronts.
Among the areas where they will look to strengthen is central defence, having been found thin on the ground at times this term.
Read more on talksport
Both Lisandro Martinez andMatthijs de Ligt have missed significant periods through injury, leaving Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro as the default pairing.
'He'll get even better'
European football journalist Brassell believes Roma defender Ndicka is just the man to take United's defence to the next level.
Since joining Roma in 2023, the Ivorian has carved out a strong reputation, and was named in the 2024/25 Serie A Team of the Season.
This term, the 26-year-old has played in 35 matches altogether, chalking up five goals for a Roma team pushing for a Champions League spot.
Hailing him, Brassell told talkSPORT: “I think he's one of the very best central defenders in Europe and I don't think he's ever really given credit for it."
Pointing out United's recent revival under Carrick, Brassell urged them to capitalise on this by adding Ndicka to their ranks.
Evan Ndicka for Roma
5
Highly-rated Ndicka has contributed to eight clean sheets for Roma this seasonCredit: Getty
Man United defender Harry Maguire
5
Brassell has tipped United to sign a strong defender to join the likes of Harry MaguireCredit: Getty
He continued: “If I was a Premier League club, I would be all over Roma for Evan Ndicka. I think he's already a great defender and I think he'll get even better.
“I think the situation where United are at the moment, if they get themselves into the Champions League, it's been a great back end of the season for them under Michael Carrick.
“But they can't allow what's happened over the last couple of months and the positive uptick, in the context of, what I have to say quality-wise is quite an average Premier League this season [take their foot off the gas].
“They've got to really grasp that opportunity and they can't be fooled into thinking that everything's fine.
“They have to go out and make some good signings. And in terms of refreshing that defence, I think Ndicka would be absolutely perfect.”
Brassell pointed out that a move for Ndicka would suit both parties, with Roma likely to have to sell after being sanctioned by UEFA last summer for breaching Financial Fair Play rules.
Ndicka first became a wanted man during his five-year stint at Eintracht Frankfurt
5
Ndicka first became a wanted man during his five-year stint at Eintracht FrankfurtCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Outlining the logistics of a move, he explained: “You look at him, you look at his age, you look at the fact that Roma are still kind of skint because they've got to abide by the terms of this financial settlement with UEFA, which means that they will have to sell at least one in the summer, you would think.”
Special One-approved
Born in Paris, Ndicka came through the ranks at Auxerre before being snapped up by Eintracht Frankfurt in a £4.5million move in 2018.
He quickly established himself in the Bundesliga, before going on to make 134 appearances over five years in Germany.
Named in the league's Team of the Season in 2022, Ndicka was heavily linked with a move to the Premier League, but opted instead to join former United boss Jose Mourinho at Roma.
And Brassell has hailed 'The Special One' for developing the Parisian from a ball-playing centre-back into the complete defender.
On his progress, Brassell remarked: "You go back to Ndicka and when he was at track Frankfurt you thought, ‘OK this guy could develop into something really good.'
Jose Mourinho at Roma
5
Mourinho was Roma manager between 2021 and 2023 and took Ndika under his wingCredit: Getty
“But it's turned out that Roma has been the absolute perfect move for him.
On Mourinho's influence, he continued: “Mourinho did a really good first job with Ndicka.
“It was interesting when he spoke about how he had a promising, but not red-hot start at Roma. Mourinho said, 'Evan is very good on the ball, but he needs to learn that being a defender is actually about defending.'
On this, Brassell added: “Those words, it feels, have really stayed with Ndicka.
"He was always like very, very tidy on the ball, very elegant in the way he moves but now he seems to really relish the defending part of being a defender.
Read More on talkSPORT
“Actually it's helped him in other ways - he's someone who's more of a danger from attacking set pieces. He gets goals because he's able to be aggressive in the opposition penalty boxes as well."