AS Roma presented their second free transfer signing for the upcoming season on Wednesday. Ivorian defender Evan Ndicka joins from Eintracht Frankfurt and signs a five-year contract at the Stadio Olimpico.
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Ndicka has been a regular player at Frankfurt for the past five years, during which they won the Europa League last year. Due to his status as a free transfer, the former AJ Auxerre player had no shortage of interest. Ultimately, he chose Roma, who reportedly faced competition from AC Milan, among others.
For José Mourinho's team, Ndicka is the second free transfer signing after Olympique Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar. This situation reflects Roma's current state, as Italian media reports suggest they need to sell players before being able to make transfer payments for new signings. It is expected that Brazilian defender Roger Ibañez will be sold now that Ndicka has arrived, and more players are likely to depart. One of them is Justin Kluivert, who was loaned to Valencia last season and is now heading to Bournemouth.
The transfer fee generated from Kluivert's sale, reportedly around eleven million euros, is said to be reserved by Roma for the arrival of Gianluca Scamacca. The Italian striker from West Ham United is the intended replacement for the long-term injured Tammy Abraham.
Furthermore, Roma is required by UEFA to generate or save thirty million euros by June 30th to comply with Financial Fair Play rules. That's why the Giallorossi decided to sell promising Bosnian player Benjamin Tahirovic to Ajax earlier this week.
