Club chairman Daniel Levy is already deep into the transfer market, actively identifying potential candidates to bolster the backline should Romero depart.
Among the names previously linked to Spurs are England internationals Marc Guehi and Jarrod Branthwaite—both highly regarded for their potential and Premier League experience. However, fresh reports from the transfer rumour mill now point to another emerging target: AS Roma centre-back Evan Ndicka.
The 25-year-old defender has made a strong impression in Serie A since joining Roma on a free transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt two years ago. Tottenham scouts and decision-makers have reportedly been left impressed by Ndicka’s consistent performances in the Italian top flight, where he has developed into a reliable and intelligent defensive presence. His ability to read the game and maintain composure in high-pressure scenarios has not gone unnoticed by the North London club.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Tottenham have shown interest in Ndicka. Reports from TBR Football as far back as April hinted at the Lilywhites monitoring the Ivorian international, and now that these links have resurfaced, it suggests that Levy’s interest hasn’t waned. If anything, the renewed attention may signal that Spurs are preparing to make a more serious move in the coming weeks.
In the context of Tottenham’s new managerial direction under Thomas Frank, Ndicka appears to be a particularly suitable option. The Roma defender is not your archetypal modern centre-back who thrives on pinging long diagonals or dribbling through pressure. Instead, he excels through intelligence, positional awareness, and tactical discipline—traits that would fit seamlessly into Frank’s pragmatic and structured system.
Frank, now officially at the helm after replacing Ange Postecoglou, is expected to introduce a flexible tactical setup at Spurs—one that leans on defensive stability and adaptability rather than high-risk, high-reward football. His time at Brentford was a testament to that philosophy. Whether he set his team up in a 4-3-3, 3-5-2, or even a 5-3-2, the Danish manager maintained a consistent defensive framework, always adjusting based on opposition threats and game-state scenarios. Importantly, his sides were well-drilled in transition play and always difficult to break down.
Ndicka, who played as a left-sided centre-back in a back three during his time at Frankfurt, has already operated in a system not dissimilar to what Frank employed at Brentford. His ability to perform in such a setup, combined with his left-footed profile, gives Spurs an edge in building a more balanced defensive unit. Under Frank, the emphasis is more on defensive IQ and shape than raw pace—an area where Ndicka naturally excels.
Set-piece strength is another key area where Ndicka can bring immediate value. Standing at 6’4″, he is a physically imposing figure in both defensive and attacking situations during dead-ball scenarios—an aspect of the game where Spurs have often come up short in recent campaigns. Thomas Frank’s systems have historically relied heavily on exploiting set-piece situations, and Ndicka could become a cornerstone of that strategy.
Had Tottenham tried to sign Ndicka during the Ange Postecoglou era, the defender would likely have been used in a more rotational capacity. Postecoglou’s demand for defenders with top-end recovery speed to maintain his high defensive line may not have suited Ndicka’s style. But in the Frank era, the centre-back could be a foundational piece of the club’s new-look backline—someone who provides the defensive structure and maturity needed as Spurs undergo another tactical evolution.
In short, Ndicka is not just a stop-gap solution or a bench option. At 25, he’s entering the prime years of his career and could represent a long-term investment. If Levy manages to get this deal across the line, it could prove to be a shrewd and pivotal signing—one that aligns perfectly with Thomas Frank’s vision for a more compact, intelligent, and tactically adaptable Tottenham Hotspur.
