Tottenham Evan Ndicka Transfer Blow as Star Rejects Spurs Move; North London 2026

Key Points

• Tottenham Hotspur have asked about AS Roma defender Evan Ndicka, but he is not convinced about moving to Spurs
• Spurs are expected to revamp defensive options this summer, having already agreed contracts with Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson
• Cristian Romero is likely to have played his last game for Tottenham, expected to move amid a “radical overhaul”
• Radu Dragusin’s future is uncertain with interest from multiple clubs including Inter Milan and Roma
• Ndicka made 42 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring five goals, but suffered a hamstring injury on the final day
• Italian journalist Damiano Er Faina reports Ndicka is wanted by three important abroad clubs including one top Serie A outfit
• Ndicka has 27 caps for Ivory Coast and is at perfect age to make career step up
• From Tottenham’s perspective, signing Ndicka “will not make much sense” due to squad balance concerns
• Tottenham already lined up deal for left-footed Senesi, and Micky van de Ven wants to stay as first-choice centre-back
• Both Van de Ven and Senesi are left-footed, so adding another left-footed defender would disrupt squad balance
• Spurs must target a right-footed centre-back to complement Van de Ven instead
• Roma’s asking price for Ndicka exceeds €40m (£34.3m)
• Ndicka’s contract with Roma expires June 30, 2028
• Ndicka’s injury puts his 2026 World Cup place with Ivory Coast at risk

Tottenham (North London News) June 6, 2026 –As reported by the editorial team of InsideFutbol, Tottenham Hotspur have asked about Roma defender Evan Ndicka, but he is not convinced about moving to Spurs. The 26-year-old AS Roma centre-back has emerged as one of the most coveted defensive talents ahead of the summer transfer window, thanks to his impressive performances in Serie A. Despite Tottenham’s interest, Ndicka remains sceptical about the potential transfer to north London.

Why Is Evan Ndicka Linked With Tottenham Despite Player Not Being Convinced?

According to InsideFutbol, Spurs are expected to revamp their defensive options this summer, with the process already having been kicked off with the capture of Andy Robertson. There are question marks over the future of Radu Dragusin, who has interest from a number of clubs, while Cristian Romero has been linked with the exit door.

The potential departures of Romero and Dragusin would significantly affect both the quality and depth of Tottenham’s defensive ranks.

As reported by Italian journalist Damiano Er Faina on X, Evan Ndicka is wanted by three important abroad clubs, including one top Serie A outfit.

It is unclear which teams are trying to snap the Ivory Coast international up from AS Roma, but given Spurs have been heavily linked with the central defender, they could be amongst them. Ndicka has proven himself in Serie A and is at the perfect age to make the step up in his career.

What Complicates Tottenham’s Pursuit of Evan Ndicka From AS Roma?

A move to the Premier League could be an ideal destination for the France-born defender, who has also played in the Bundesliga with Eintracht Frankfurt.

Ndicka made 42 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring five goals. Unfortunately, he suffered a hamstring injury on the final day of the 2025/26 campaign during the Derby della Capitale between Roma and Lazio.

The injury will definitely rule him out of Roma’s final league match and is likely to keep him sidelined for several weeks.

According to reports from Sport Mediaset, Ndicka suffered a second-degree lesion of his right hamstring. This injury is likely to miss the beginning of the 2026 World Cup campaign for Ivory Coast.

With just three weeks to go before the start of the 2026 World Cup, the Elephants’ staff are holding their breath regarding Ndicka’s availability. Having become an indispensable pillar of the Ivorian defense since 2023 with 27 caps, his potential absence would be a disaster for Ivory Coast.

Why Does Signing Ndicka Not Make Sense for Tottenham’s Squad Balance?

As reported by the editorial team of ToTheLaneAndBack, that being said, however, from a Spurs perspective, signing Ndicka will not make much sense. This is because Tottenham have already lined up a deal for Senesi, who is a left-footed centre-back.

As Micky van de Ven wants to stay at the club following their safety, he’d be the first-choice central defender with Senesi as his understudy.

According to Transfermarkt, Ndicka has a current market value of €35.00m. It is understood that a fee exceeding €40m (£34.3m) could secure his transfer, with Ndicka’s sale easing some of the financial pressure on Roma.

Roma are facing pressure due to FFP to offload some of their players, and given that Ndicka was signed on a free transfer, no other player at the club can generate as much profit.

As both Van de Ven and Senesi are left-footed, adding another of the same profile would disrupt the balance of the squad.

Hence, Spurs must drop their interest in Ndicka and target a right-footed centre-back to complement Van de Ven. Squad management is as important as star signings when competing only in the domestic competitions next season, and De Zerbi will know the value of adding players who tick both the footballing and logistical boxes.

What Other Clubs Are Interested in Evan Ndicka Besides Tottenham?

There is currently interest in Ndicka from other Premier League sides, including Manchester United and Liverpool.

Clubs across Europe, including Bayern Munich and Besiktas, are also keen, with the growing interest causing concern in Rome. Ndicka, who has 27 caps for his country, is mentioned as one of several players being considered for various positions by Inter Milan as part of a planned significant squad renovation.

According to Romano, Ndicka has completed medicals and signed the contract as new Roma player on deal valid until June 2028.

His contract with Roma expires on June 30, 2028, with €20,520,000 gross salary remaining. Ndicka joined the Rome-based club in July 2023 and has made 42 appearances in all competitions.

Speaking to Corriere dello Sport, former Roma player Antonio Zago addressed Ndicka’s situation, suggesting the defender should remain at the club while acknowledging the possibility of a more experienced option being sought. He said:

“He is young, he should stay and be confirmed, but I do not know if they will look for a more experienced centre-back”.

Who Has Been Appointed as Tottenham’s New Head Coach for 2026 Season?

Tottenham have confirmed the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi as their new head coach after the departure of interim head coach Igor Tudor.

He has signed a five-year contract, but immediate attention is focused on the current season, as his primary task is to ensure the club remains in the Premier League. De Zerbi has now accepted the opportunity to return to management mid-season, recognizing that the situation at Spurs is far from ideal.

Roberto De Zerbi expressed that the awareness of rival supporters desiring the club’s relegation from the Premier League serves as a significant incentive to maintain their position in the league.

Tottenham are reportedly ready to offload at least five first-team stars this summer, with skipper Cristian Romero leading the list.

Romero is regarded as one of the more sellable assets, despite only penning a new four-year deal with the club in the summer of 2025.

Background of the Development

Tottenham Hotspur’s defensive crisis stems from multiple factors. The club has faced an injury crisis throughout the season, prompting keen interest in signing a centre-back with a near-perfect injury record. However, the uncertain futures of Cristian Romero and Radu Dragusin create significant challenges.

Romero is expected to move amid a “radical overhaul” of the Spurs squad this summer, regardless of relegation. His father recently claimed that his son has a release clause of around £60million in his contract.

Radu Dragusin’s representative Florin Manea has opened the door to Dragusin joining Inter Milan, whose manager Cristian Chivu is also Romanian.

Manea confirmed that he had not been in contact with any clubs regarding Dragusin’s future, conflicting with claims that Tottenham rejected an approach from Fiorentina earlier this month. Roma are also understood to have taken an interest in Dragusin, who is under contract at Tottenham until 2030 but has played just 37 games for the club since joining in a £21.8m deal in early 2024.

The arrival of Roberto De Zerbi, plus the fact that he helped the club avoid relegation on the final day, should be the beginning of a new era at Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs have already agreed contracts with both Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson to join on free transfers from Bournemouth and Liverpool, respectively. Senesi will join Tottenham on a four-year deal following the expiry of his Bournemouth contract in the summer. Robertson confirmed he would leave Liverpool at the end of his contract on June 30, with the 32-year-old signing for Spurs on July 1.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Tottenham Fans and Squad Performance

This development can affect Tottenham fans by creating uncertainty about the club’s defensive stability for the upcoming season. With both Van de Ven and Senesi being left-footed, the squad lacks a right-footed centre-back option to provide balance. If Tottenham fails to address this gap, defensive situations against teams with strong right-sided attackers could become problematic.

The decision to drop interest in Ndicka and target a right-footed centre-back instead demonstrates tactical awareness by De Zerbi.

Fans can expect Tottenham to pursue defenders who complement Van de Ven’s left-footed profile rather than creating redundancy. This approach should improve the squad’s overall defensive balance and versatility.

Ndicka’s potential absence from the 2026 World Cup due to his hamstring injury means Ivory Coast’s defensive sector is already on its last legs. With Odilon Kossounou, Ndicka’s preferred partner in central defense, also sidelined due to a tear in his right biceps femoris, the Elephants face a catastrophic scenario. This development indirectly affects Tottenham as Ndicka’s injury recovery timeline could impact his availability for the summer transfer window.

Roma’s asking price exceeding €40m represents significant financial pressure relief for the club. Given that Ndicka was signed on a free transfer, his sale generates substantial profit under FFP regulations. This financial context means Roma won’t easily lower their price, potentially making Tottenham’s pursuit more challenging even if Ndicka becomes convinced about the move.