Tottenham Hotspur sporting director Fabio Paratici could well consider a move for Eintracht Frankfurt defender, Evan Ndicka, according to journalist Ryan Taylor.
What’s the word?
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the transfer insider revealed that the Frenchman could emerge as a target for the Lilywhites in January, with the centre-back potentially set to move on from the Bundesliga side with just six months left on his existing deal.
Amid recent reports in Italy that linked Spurs with a move for the 23-year-old, Taylor stated: “I would say Ndicka is probably one that they might look at. Left-footed centre-backs are actually a rarity, there are not many about.”
While Antonio Conte’s side could potentially secure a pre-contract agreement in the New Year ahead of a summer swoop, recent speculation has suggested that the German outfit may look to cash in next month for a fee of around €15m (£13m).
Big Davies upgrade
This follows claims from journalist Dean Jones that suggested the north Londoners could well be eyeing a new defender in the winter window, with long-serving Welshman, Ben Davies potentially one figure who could make way as a result of a new addition.
The 29-year-old has been a regular in Conte’s side so far this season – making 12 outings in the Premier League to date – although the former Swansea City man may prove a notable victim of Ndicka’s arrival, with the latter man potentially set to prove a big upgrade.
The Frankfurt sensation has notably been a rock for his side so far this season, averaging 5.3 clearances and one interception per game from his 15 top-flight outings this term, with the “towering” colossus, as described by journalist Jacque Talbot, also winning a solid 63% of his aerial duels so far this term.
By contrast, his fellow left-footer Davies has averaged just 2.3 clearances and 0.8 interceptions for the top-four hopefuls to date this season, while also winning just 45% of his aerial duels as a marker of his struggles physically in his left-sided centre-back berth.
The former France U21 international also provides greater quality in an attacking sense as he ranks in the top 9% in Europe for assists made among those in his position, while the current Tottenham stalwart ranks in just the top 38% in that regard.
NDicka also previously showcased his quality when the two sides met in the Champions League at the Waldstadion earlier in the campaign, with the 6 foot 4 powerhouse recording four clearances and two interceptions in that goalless draw, while also earning a 7.7 match rating, as per Sofascore – the second-highest of any player on the day.
Being able to land the £20k-per-week titan for a relative bargain price in the New Year could seemingly prove another transfer masterclass for Paratici, with the recruitment specialist able to land a Davies upgrade as a result.