Liverpool have reportedly identified Eintracht Frankfurt defender Evan Ndicka as a potential transfer target.
Having barely featured in the top four of the Premier League this campaign, Jurgen Klopp is expected to significantly tinker with his squad during the summer window.
The German has already acknowledged that changes will need to be made in midfield, with the likes of Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in line to depart on free transfers.
However, after numerous poor performances in defence, Klopp is also likely to make at least notable addition at the back, either at right-back or centre-back.
According to The Mirror, a move for Frankfurt defender Ndicka has emerged as a possibility ahead of 2023-24.
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The 23-year-old is predominately regarded as a centre-back, although he has deputised at left-back on occasions during his career.
Ndicka has spent the last four years of his career plying his trade in the Bundesliga with Frankfurt, helping transform the team into one which can regularly compete for Champions League qualification.
Most famously, though, Ndicka played a key role in Frankfurt lifting last season's Europa League trophy, making 11 appearances during that continental campaign.
Since then, Frankfurt have reached the last 16 of the 2022-23 Champions League, losing out to Napoli, but they only sit in sixth position in the Bundesliga table.
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Possibly with that in mind, Ndicka has taken the decision to reject contract offers from Frankfurt, and he is due to become a free agent at the end of June.
Regardless of whether Liverpool can finish in the top four of the Premier League, acquiring Ndicka, a former France Under-21 international, for nothing would be deemed to be a shrewd move when needing to strengthen in other areas.
During his time with Frankfurt, Ndicka has contributed 11 goals and 10 assists from 174 appearances, often being selected on the left-hand side of a back three.
While Arsenal have been linked with Ndicka in the past, their January acquisition of Jakub Kiwior is likely to end their interest.
Darren Plant
