Report: Nottingham Forest battle Arsenal for £26m-rated defender who wins more headers than Murillo
03/26/2025 03:00 PM
Nottingham Forest will go in search of a number of new players during the summer transfer window.
The Reds will look to prioritise quality over quantity once again, with Forest enjoying deploying that tactic during the summer of 2024.
Players like Elliot Anderson and Nikola Milenkovic were added to bolster the ranks and Forest have been better for it.
With just nine matches of the season remaining, Forest are third in the Premier League and have a seven point gap to the team in sixth place.
Rumours are already circling about various players with Viktor Gyokeres one of the players being linked with Forest.
It’s not just strikers on the Forest radar, however, with the Reds also in the mood to strengthen their rearguard it would seem.
Nottingham Forest want Evan Ndicka
According to Roma Press, Ndicka is on the radar of both Arsenal and Nottingham Forest this summer.
The Reds clearly want competition for the places currently being kept warm by Milenkovic and Murillo, with Morato in reserve.
Ndicka has a contract with Roma until 2028 and they’re not under pressure to sell him in the summer.
However, it’s claimed that both Arsenal and Forest have enquired after the player in recent weeks with Real Madrid also keen.
The 25-year-old has been with Roma since 2023 and has made 76 appearances in all competitions, becoming a mainstay in the team.
Ndicka wins more headers than Murillo
Okay, so Murillo isn’t renowned for his aerial prowess but Squawka shows that Ndicka is stronger in the air.
As a result, perhaps there is a sense that the Ivorian central defender is viewed as the ideal replacement for Willy Boly, who could depart in the summer.
This season, Ndicka has played 29 matches in Serie A, with Murillo playing one less.
Ndicka has won 49 aerial duels with Murillo winning just 33 from his performances across the campaign.
Signing Ndicka might not be easy given the competition but at £27 million, he could prove to be very good value for money.
