Arsenal ‘reach agreement’ to complete first signing of 2023

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 13 Dec 2022 11:56 GMT
• 9 min read

Arsenal have reached an agreement to sign central defender Evan Ndicka from Eintracht Frankurt, according to a report in Italy.

Although the Frenchman is set to be the Gunners’ first signing of 2023, fans will have to be patient to see him pull on the red of the club, with the deal a pre-contract agreement for a summer free agent whose deal in the Bundesliga expires on 30 June.

Ndicka has been a long-time target of Mikel Arteta’s and now it is reported by Il Romanista that the Emirates club have won the race to pick him up on a free transfer.

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It is stated that the 23-year-old has the intention of winding down his contract in Germany and then picking the most lucrative offer on the table. Arsenal are said to have provided this, beating Jose Mourinho’s Roma to the player, having "reached an agreement" with what is described as “more than reasonable certainty”.

Ndicka came through the youth ranks at Auxerre to progress to the first team before moving to Frankfurt as an 18-year-old. With the German side, he has played over 100 Bundesliga games and has picked up extensive experience in Europe, winning the Europa League last season and turning out in the Champions League this time around.

He was also named in the Bundesliga team of the season for 2021/22.

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How good is Evan Ndicka?

Ndicka is performing to a high standard in Germany’s top flight this season, as the above interactive graphic from data analytics experts demonstrates. Indeed, he is among the Bundesliga’s leading third of centre-backs in the division.

His strengths are primarily defensive. Indeed, he rates particularly well in terms of recoveries, pressing and positioning, while SciSports believes that he has the potential to develop into a key player for Arsenal.

A left-sided player, Ndicka would face competition from Ben White, Gabriel and William Saliba if he were to join Arsenal.