Man Utd set to battle Arsenal after being informed of ‘excellent’ transfer fee | Football | Sport
Manchester United are reportedly set to rival Arsenal and Newcastle to the signing of Roma defender Evan Ndicka. All three Premier League clubs have been informed of a fee that the Italian side believe would make an ‘excellent’ deal for all parties.
Ndicka has long been linked with a switch to England but that has not happened so far. However, that could change this summer as Roma are said to be keen to raise funds. The centre-back could therefore be sacrificed in an attempt to balance the books. Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules dictate that Roma could reportedly need to make around £10million this summer. United, Arsenal and Newcastle are all rumoured to be determined to improve their respective back lines this summer and the Serie A giants have seized the opportunity.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Roma want a little under £30m for Ndicka. They believe it would be an ‘excellent’ fee to receive, securing them a profit and helping them to avoid an FFP punishment.
Ndicka played in all 38 Serie A matches last season as Roma finished fifth. The Ivory Coast international, who is now 25, was linked with Arsenal as a youngster but a move never materialised. If he moves to the Emirates Stadium, a tough battle displacing William Saliba and Gabriel may await.
Wide-ranging reports claim that Arsenal have had a bid rejected for Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera. It is therefore clear that defensive reinforcements could be high on the club’s agenda this summer, although a new centre-forward is set to take priority.
Arsenal will also battle with United for strikers Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres. Deals for either player could be difficult to achieve, particularly with RB Leipzig and Sporting, respectively, demanding major fees.
A major overhaul is expected to take place at Old Trafford this summer, although the volume of signings could depend on outgoings. Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony are among the players expected to depart United.
Meanwhile, Newcastle have also been linked with new defenders. They could be set to miss out on Marc Guehi, a major target of the last summer window, with Liverpool understood to be closing in on the Crystal Palace defender.
Newcastle will also hope to win their battle to keep Alexander Isak. Liverpool have been linked with the Swede, but it would take a nine-figure deal to prise him away from Tyneside.