Arsenal and PSG set to do battle again for £25m target as transfer talks emerge

Daily Mirror

01-05-2025

Arsenal are weighing up a summer move for Roma defender Evan Ndicka but face competition from Champions League rivals PSG as well as Newcastle with the Ivorian attracting interest
Arsenal and PSG could do battle this summer with both clubs keen on Roma defender Evan Ndicka. The Ivorian has continued to excel in the Italian capital and has made himself an ever present as his list of admirers grows.
Ndicka has played every minute for Roma in Serie A this season but talk of his exit is ramping up. The 25-year-old moved to the Stadio Olympico on a free transfer from Frankfurt in 2023 and now Arsenal are considering him as a defensive option this summer.
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They will face competition from Newcastle though with Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport claiming the Magpies have also kept tabs on the player. As well as the Premier League duo PSG are also keen on Ndicka, who could cost anything between £25-34million.
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The Roma defender was born in Paris and began his career at one of the city's clubs before Auxerre landed him as a teenager. PSG have previously missed out on a number of players born in the French capital and have had to spend big to lure them back.
It has been reported though that the north Londoners have held initial discussions to see whether Ndicka could be on the market as they look to bolster their defensive ranks.
The Roma star has kept his options open when quizzed on his next move with several years to run on his deal. He recently told L'Equipe: "I'm not pretending that I don't see the rumours. But I have respect in Rome and I respect them. I have three years remaining on my contract, we will see what happens later."
Arsenal are looking to ensure they have sufficient cover behind William Saliba and Gabriel, who is currently sidelined through injury. The Gunners have deployed Jakub Kiwior at centre-half but want to have quality cover should injury strike in the future.
PSG meanwhile may look to bring in more quality alongside Marquinhos, who is the team's skipper and defensive leader. The Brazilian centre-half himself was signed from Roma more than a decade ago and has gone on to be one of the club's greatest ever players.
They could yet go into the market with the tag of European champions having taken control of their semi-final against Arsenal. They secured a 1-0 with at the Emirates after Ousmane Dembele struck early and will back themselves to complete the job next week at the Parc des Princes.