Man Utd, Tottenham under threat as West Ham join chase for £29m star who could sign on a free

Manchester United and Tottenham could lose out on Eintracht Frankfurt star Evan N’dicka amid claims West Ham want to sign him on a free transfer next summer.

N’dicka is a former France U21 international who came through the ranks at Auxerre before moving to Frankfurt in summer 2018. According to transfermarkt, the centre-back cost Frankfurt just short of £5million when joining.

N’dicka has gone on to make over 150 appearances for the Bundesliga side since then, scoring 10 goals and registering nine assists. He helped Frankfurt finish fifth in the table during the 2020-21 campaign, qualifying them for last season’s Europa League.

And Frankfurt ended up winning the competition for the second time in their history (they also lifted the UEFA Cup in 1980).

They beat West Ham 3-1 over two legs in the last four to set up a final showdown with Rangers. And after a 1-1 draw in extra time, Frankfurt emerged victorious with a 5-4 penalty shoot-out win.

N’dicka has played a vital role in Frankfurt’s recent success. He is an important part of Oliver Glasner’s first team, having featured in every single match so far this campaign.

However, Frankfurt may have to look for a new centre-half if they lose the Paris-born star in the near future.

N’dicka’s contract expires at the end of the season and he knows he could secure a move to a big club.

Man Utd, Spurs may lose out on Evan N’Dicka

Manchester United and Tottenham both went after N’dicka’s signature in the summer transfer window, but to not avail.

Now, it is West Ham who could march in and win the race for the player. According to Sport Witness, who cite French outlet Jeunes Footeux, West Ham are ‘interested’ in snapping N’dicka up.

They ideally want him to run down his Frankfurt deal and move to east London on a free transfer next summer. This would be an exceptional piece of business given transfermarkt rate N’dicka at just under £29m.

However, West Ham might have to move faster than this to secure the 23-year-old’s move. Sevilla are also chasing him and could ruin David Moyes’ transfer plan.

As such, the report brings up the possibility of N’dicka leaving Frankfurt in January, rather than summer 2023.

Due to his contract running down, Frankfurt would not be able to hold out for much money. Jeunes Footeux claim it will cost West Ham or Sevilla ‘less than €15m’ (£13.1m) to land N’dicka this winter.

West Ham want to avoid paying such a fee if they can help it, but this might become a necessity if Sevilla put up a serious transfer challenge.

As mentioned previously, Man Utd and Tottenham have set their sights on N’dicka this year. But links between the two ‘Big Six’ sides and N’dicka have dried up in recent weeks, suggesting he is more likely to join West Ham instead.

A move to the London Stadium would give the former Auxerre man a great platform to shine in the Premier League. If he impresses under Moyes, then a move to a club of Man Utd or Tottenham’s stature could then occur.

Meanwhile, Thursday’s Transfer Gossip provides an update on Declan Rice’s future amid rumours of a possible Chelsea switch.