Man Utd muscle into race for top Liverpool defensive target as Ten Hag finds Maguire replacement
Manchester United have joined Liverpool in showing an interest in signing Eintracht Frankfurt defender Evan Ndicka on a free transfer, according to a report.
Ndicka is due to become a free agent at the end of the season after rejecting Eintracht Frankfurt’s attempts to extend his contract. The centre-back has already been amassing a long list of admirers.
For example, a report on Wednesday reminded that Liverpool are in the mix to sign him. Jurgen Klopp wants them to upgrade their defence in the summer, so doing so for free makes a lot of sense.
At the time, though, there were warnings about rival interest from the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as a few admirers from foreign territories.
Now, it has emerged that Man Utd have also become a threat in the battle for Ndicka’s signature. According to Football Insider, Erik ten Hag’s side may well be the main rival to Liverpool on that front.
The report reminds that Man Utd are willing to sell club captain Harry Maguire in the summer. Consequently, they will need to find fresh competition for their starting partnership of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane.
With that in mind, they have turned their attention to Ndicka as one possible target. Judging from Football Insider‘s information, it could be a two-horse race between Man Utd and Liverpool.
The 23-year-old will have to weigh up either option carefully as he looks to progress his career. So far, he has had spells with Auxerre and Eintracht Frankfurt.
His next destination may well be in the Premier League, but the specific outcome will have to wait.
Should Ndicka pick Man Utd or Liverpool?
There will be pros and cons attached to any option presented to Ndicka in the months ahead.
Joining Man Utd might be more attractive at present because of their better form. They look much more likely to finish in the top four – thereby qualifying for the Champions League – than Liverpool at the moment.
Ten Hag seems to be building a promising project at Old Trafford, which would be enticing to sign up for.
The problem that Ndicka may have to consider is that, as a left-footed centre-half, he might clash with Martinez, who has been a regular starter since following Ten Hag from Ajax.
In contrast, Liverpool do not have any left footers within their centre-back ranks. Although Virgil van Dijk likes to play on the left-hand side of a partnership, the Dutchman favours his right foot.
Therefore, Ndicka might be able to carve out his own role more clearly with Liverpool. Thus, he should probably still be thinking about them as a priority, though Man Utd might be tempting too.
