Arsenal ‘have an agreement to sign Frankfurt defender Evan Ndicka on a free transfer next summer’

Arsenal have reached an agreement to sign Eintracht Frankfurt defender Evan Ndicka on a free transfer, according to reports in Italy.

The Frenchman has been one of Frankfurt’s standout players in his five years at the club but has recently refused to sign a new deal with his current contract set to expire in the summer.

Despite interest from a number of top European sides, it appears the Gunners are the frontrunners to land the 23-year-old next summer.

Evan Ndicka (left) has reportedly reached an agreement to sign for Arsenal next summer

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is looking to bolster his defensive options with the French defender

According to Il Romanista, the Frenchman has an agreement in place to join Arsenal once his contract with Frankfurt comes to an end.

The Gunners had faced competition from Serie A side Roma for the defender’s signature but managed to fend them off and secure the signing.

Jose Mourinho’s side had planned to make an attempt to sign N’Dicka during the January transfer window but the defender wants to see out his current deal. 

It serves as the first bit of transfer business for Arteta – who said he will wait until learning further of Gabriel Jesus’ injury before making a big-money signing. 

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Ndicka was part of the Frankfurt side that faced Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League

Ndicka has spent five seasons with the German club and has made 162 appearances in all competitions for them. 

He was part of the Frankfurt side that faced off with Arsenal’s rivals Tottenham in the Champions League this year – with both sides progressing to the knockout rounds.

Despite representing France at every level of youth football, the central defender is yet to receive a senior cap for Les Bleus. 

He formed a formidable part of the Frankfurt defence that helped win the Europa League in 2021/22. 

Ndicka (second right, No.2) celebrates with his team-mates after winning the Europa League

The Frankfurt star looks to be the latest defensive recruit for Arsenal after they brought in Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City in the summer.

As well as the Ukrainian full-back, the Gunners also kept William Saliba at the club – having spent two seasons on loan – with Arteta keen to rebuild his Arsenal defence. 

The Gunners are currently out in Dubai as part of their mid-season preparations ahead of the Premier League’s restart in a couple of weeks.

They kick-started the tournament with a 3-0 win over Lyon thanks to goals from Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel Magalhaes and Fabio Vieira.