Tottenham face transfer hijack as Evan Ndicka also wanted by Newcastle

'We have to show great respect for our fans,' says Tottenham's Conte

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Tottenham could be hijacked by Newcastle in the January window in their pursuit of Eintracht Frankfurt defender Evan Ndicka. Antonio Conte’s side have been linked with the centre-back to boost their defensive options, but Eddie Howe’s outfit will look to spend in January to support their top-four bid as the Magpies currently occupy fourth place in the Premier League.

Italian publication Romagiallorossa has credited both Tottenham and Newcastle with an interest in Ndicka, as the report claims that there is a “strong” want from the Premier League sides to sign the Bundesliga defender. His contract in Frankfurt expires at the end of the season, and his situation has become “complicated” according to the Italian outlet due to interest from England.

Both AC Milan and Roma are also reportedly interested in Ndicka, but they remain behind Tottenham and Newcastle in the race. He could be available in January as it will be the last chance Frankfurt have to cash in on the defender, unless they can convince the 23-year-old to sign a new deal at the club.

He has also previously been linked with Arsenal, though Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher has cast doubt on the Frenchman for being “too aggressive”, which could prove a potential problem for Spurs in the future should they beat Newcastle to the signing and pair him with Cristian Romero who similarly plays on the front foot.

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“We have seen his experience last season in the Europa League when he got his winner’s medal,” Carragher told CBS Sports. “He’s playing left-side of a back three and he likes to step in and get involved. That’s what the modern centre-back has to do. Defensively, at times, he is too eager and too aggressive – he’s always on the front foot and could be targeted. But is it a manager’s tactic or is it just him?”

Interest in Ndicka from Tottenham could hint at future moves should they sign the left-footer, who would slot in on the left-hand side of Conte’s back three. Spurs have Ben Davies and Clement Lenglet currently competing for that spot, though the Frenchman is only on loan from Barcelona.

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If Conte is considering making an addition in defence it may mean that he is not looking to turn the loan into a permanent deal, though it is unclear whether there is an option to buy in his deal.

They may end up getting beaten to Ndicka by Newcastle, who will not worry about spending in January following their Saudi Arabian takeover.

The Toon spent just under £100million in the 2022 January window, and then broke their transfer record in the summer to sign Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad in a £58m deal.

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