ARSENAL could strike a sublime deal to reinforce Mikel Arteta’s defence further…
With Ben White prospering in his new right-back role since William Saliba’s Arsenal return, Mikel Arteta could be tempted to dip into the transfer market for his latest centre-back signing next summer. And a bargain option with long-standing links with the Gunners has emerged as his contract continues ticking down.
Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are firmly Arteta’s first-choice centre-back pairing, and Rob Holding has been the only natural backup option on the bench this season. White and Takehiro Tomiyasu’s versatility makes them available to cover when required, but natural competition is likely on Arteta’s agenda if he has long-term plans for the former at right-back.
Eintracht Frankfurt defender Evan Ndicka was first linked with a potential move to Arsenal in February 2021, and reports in Germany claimed the Bundesliga outfit were ready to offload him in the summer to avoid losing him for free. However, he stayed put and could now be available for an even cheaper fee in January or on a free transfer at the end of the season.
According to Il Romanista, AS Roma are monitoring Ndicka’s situation but face tough competition from the Premier League and, more specifically, Arsenal. The 23-year-old helped Frankfurt lift the Europa League and was named in the Bundesliga Team of the Season in 2021/22.
Saliba and Gabriel have formed a formidable partnership at the heart of Arteta’s defence this season as the Spaniard looks to finally guide Arsenal back into the Champions League. And the Gunners’ potential return among Europe’s elite would make the Emirates Stadium a more enticing proposition if Ndicka has options to weigh up.
Newcastle United and West Ham United have also been credited with an interest in recent years. But the opportunity to partner fellow Frenchman Saliba in the Premier League could be too tempting to turn down if Arsenal’s interest becomes concrete.
Man Utd may scout target that can be signed for free v Liverpool
If the north London giants are made aware of potential competition ahead of the summer transfer window, a January approach to beat the crowd could be in the pipeline. However, Arteta may not want to risk disrupting the atmosphere within his squad mid-season after a dream start.
Arsenal are sat top of the table after nine games, winning eight of them and suffering their only defeat away at Manchester United. While qualifying for the Champions League through a top-four finish will be the priority, the Gunners will have a title challenge on their hands if they continue in the same ilk beyond the World Cup break.
