According to Estadio Deportivo, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona are likely to compete for the services of current Eintracht Frankfurt defender Evan Ndicka. The defender, who is currently under contract at the German club, will be out of contract next summer, and in case an agreement is not reached, many clubs would like to sign the French center-back.
He won the Europa League last season, defeating FC Barcelona along the way in the semifinals. The German club won the game by a one-goal margin on aggregate, progressing into the finals and lifting the trophy subsequently. The defender plays in a back three, and whether he would be able to maintain his discipline in a two-at-the-back formation is an interesting question.
However, given the cost of the transfer, ignoring any signing bonuses, there is not much you could ask from the operation if it gets materialized. The need for a center-back arose after Gerard Pique bid farewell to his childhood club before the World Cup break. La Blaugrana have a total of 4 center backs available for the first team as of now, which becomes 5 if you consider Chadi Riad, another promising defender from Barcelona B.
PSG is also observing the situation carefully. The Paris-based club desperately needs defensive reinforcements since they have been quite leaky in front of the goal. Sergio Ramos has had fitness issues of his own, and Marquinhos also lacks the spark he once had. If willing, the state-owned club can easily outbid the Catalan giants, who are restricted by FFP regulations and wage limits.
If the board intends to reinforce the defense with the promising French central defender, they have to be quick in their advances and make sure they communicate the project and his role clearly to the player’s entourage.
The only way a move to Camp Nou is possible for the 23-year-old is if he is keen to arrive, as Barcelona can not compete financially with any top-tier clubs, let alone a state-owned club with seemingly unlimited resources. Notable interest in the player’s services has been seen in the Premier League clubs as well, with Arsenal being one of the most linked destinations.
