Arsenal must step up efforts for £22m colossus who’s ‘very similar’ to Umtiti – TBR View

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is reportedly interested in taking one of Europe’s brightest young defenders to the Emirates Stadium but the Gunners could have some fierce competition.

The Gunners have been linked with Eintracht Frankfurt defender Evan N’Dicka, along with Premier League rivals Liverpool, as reported by Sky Sports in March.

A left-footed centre-back, he has impressed for the Bundesliga side this season, with 25 appearances in all competitions, plus a goal and two assists.

However, AC Milan have also been linked with the 20-year-old, and Calciomercato claims that the Rossoneri are confident of beating Arsenal and other suitors to his signature.

Milan have a good working relationship with Frankfurt, manifested in the loan deals which saw Andre Silva heading to Germany and Ante Rebic going in the opposite direction.

Interestingly, an Instagram account called TeamBukayoSaka posted a poll, asking its followers who Arsenal’s best signing would be, with N’Dicka one of the four options.

And N’Dicka himself seemingly voted for himself in the poll:

N’Dicka is one of Europe’s most promising young defenders, a versatile 6ft 4in ace who excels both at centre-back and left-back, and as such it’s little surprise that he’s being linked with Arsenal.

The Bundesliga website says his playing style is “very similar” to that of Samuel Umtiti, another player the Gunners have been linked with recently.

Indeed, N’Dicka says he likes Umtiti’s style “very much”, deeming the Barcelona man “very very strong”.

Given his credentials, potential, apparent desire to move to Arsenal and fairly modest reported price tag of £22million, the Gunners really ought to step up their efforts if they want him, as Milan seem especially keen.