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Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images
Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images

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Report: Club confident of beating Arsenal to £22m youngster who’s ‘very similar’ to Umtiti

Giuseppe Labellarte
Giuseppe Labellarte

AC Milan are confident of beating the likes of Arsenal to the signature of Eintracht Frankfurt defender Evan Ndicka, according to a report in Italian outlet Calciomercato.

The 20-year-old, a left-footed centre-back, has thoroughly impressed for the Bundesliga side this season, with 25 appearances in all competitions, plus .

A number of clubs around Europe, including the Gunners and Liverpool, had seemingly been monitoring Ndicka before football across the continent was suspended ().

GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY – APRIL 06: Evan N’Dicka of Eintracht Frankfurt in action during the Bundesliga match between FC Schalke 04 and Eintracht Frankfurt at Veltins-Arena on April 06, 2019 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Bongarts/Getty Images)

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.

claim Milan are hopeful those last summer deals will give them an advantage over Arsenal and other suitors, with Frankfurt valuing him at around £22million.

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

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

Frankfurt boss Adi Hutter has waxed lyrical about his playing, saying: “I honestly have to say that I was surprised by his development. Evan has developed phenomenally.

“He’s very attentive in the analysis of his own game. He’s very modest and always takes a lot on board.”

Given his credentials, potential and fairly modest reported price tag, Arsenal really ought to step up their efforts if they want him, as Milan and other parties seem especially keen.