Arsenal are reportedly one of three Premier League teams running the rule over Roma's Evan Ndicka ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Gunners have just been rocked by the news that key centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes will miss the remainder of the season with the hamstring injury he sustained in Tuesday's 2-1 Premier League victory over Fulham.
The Brazilian is on course to be fit for the start of next season, but he is now one of five Gunners defenders on the sidelines alongside Ben White, Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Unless Arsenal unexpectedly move for a free agent in the coming days, Jakub Kiwior will likely fill in as Gabriel's replacement alongside William Saliba, but the Pole has failed to convince and has been strongly linked with a move back to Serie A.
Tomiyasu is also set to miss the first few months of the 2025-26 season after his knee operation, and Arsenal might have to fend off stiff competition from Real Madrid to keep Saliba this summer.
Arsenal could sign Ndicka 'under one condition'
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A new centre-back is not expected to be high on Arsenal's agenda this summer, but if Saliba is lured to Real Madrid, Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta will likely scope out a replacement.
According to CaughtOffside, Ndicka is being carefully watched by the powers-that-be in North London, who were also tipped to make a move for the Frenchman during his time with Eintracht Frankfurt.
Ndicka ultimately wound down his deal at Deutsche Bank Park and left for Roma on a free transfer in the summer of 2023, since when he has produced one goal and four assists from 77 games for the Giallorossi.
The 25-year-old is also just one of three outfield players to have played every minute of the 2024-25 Serie A season so far, and even though his deal runs until 2028, Roma are apparently prepared to accept bids in the region of £33.7m this summer.
Claudio Ranieri's side are by no means guaranteed European football next season, as they sit sixth in the Serie A table - the final continental spot - but are only ahead of Lazio on goal difference and are just one point clear of Fiorentina in eighth.
Roma were also eliminated from the Europa League last 16 by Athletic Bilbao, and the report adds that the Italian giants might have to consider selling Ndicka if they fail to qualify for Europe next season.
Which other clubs are in the race for Ndicka?
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The defender's potential availability is also said to have alerted Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United, the former of whom could face a battle to keep hold of Murillo this summer.
Barcelona and Chelsea have been strongly linked with swoops for the impressive Brazilian, but Forest remain on course to qualify for the Champions League and have no urgent need to sell.
Meanwhile, Newcastle have just announced that one of their existing centre-backs has signed a contract extension at St James' Park, potentially handing Arsenal another boost in the Ndicka chase.
Ben Knapton
