---

August 31, 2024

Hoffenheim Finalizes Two Additional Transfers on Deadline Day – Bundesliga

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim finalized two more transactions on transfer deadline day.

The future playing prospects of one new arrival remain uncertain, while another young talent has been immediately loaned out.

As of late last week, it appears Hoffenheim is finalizing two targeted moves for a specific position. According to separate sources, two additional attackers are expected. German transfer expert Florian Plettenberg reports that Hoffenheim has reached an agreement with Real Betis for the acquisition of 18-year-old Spanish winger Assane Diao.

Plettenberg also confirms a report about Eyüpspor Kulübü striker Erencan Yardımcı. Turkish journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu initially reported that Yardımcı would join Sinsheim for approximately €4 million. Plettenberg’s confirmation suggests that Hoffenheim is set to acquire their third striker in as many weeks, following Adam Hlozek and Haris Tabakovic.

Despite a major transfer win earlier this week with the signing of Arthur Vermeeren from Atletico Madrid, Leipzig might unveil two more signings before the transfer window closes. French outlet L’Equipe reports that Leipzig has made an offer for SM Caen winger Tidiam Gomis. The 18-year-old talent could be heading to the German Red Bulls.

In a potentially significant deal, Portuguese defender Antonio Silva of SL Benfica, valued at €45 million, is also on Leipzig’s radar. According to France’s RMC Sport and Portugal’s A Bola, Leipzig is negotiating a one-year loan with an option to buy. Benfica is reportedly considering the offer, with the purchase clause estimated to be around €25-30 million.

Mainz’s Fernandes moves to France on Loan

FSV Mainz 05 has loaned Swiss defensive midfielder/center-back Edimilson Fernandes to Stade Brest.

The 28-year-old Fernandes will spend the season with Stade Brestois 29, competing in both Ligue 1 and the Champions League. Since joining Mainz in 2019, the versatile defender has previously had loan spells with Armenia Bielefeld and Young Boys Bern. He might even face Leverkusen in the Champions League.

The ex-West Ham United player made 21 league appearances for Mainz last season, frequently stepping in as a center-back and providing two assists. Across four seasons, he has amassed 98 Bundesliga appearances. Fernandes now joins Borussia Dortmund’s defensive talent Soumaïla Coulibaly, who has also been loaned to Brest for the year.

FSV Mainz 05 sporting director Christian Heidel mentioned that Fernandes sought the loan move to gain additional playing time. Mainz’s current coach, Bo Svensson, has four choices for his favored back-three setup, and with a crowded midfield, Fernandes’ chances to play in his primary role appeared restricted. He was not part of Svensson’s squad for the opening match against Union Berlin.

Gladbach maintains €20 million valuation for Koné transfer

In response to a direct query from Germany’s Kicker Magazine, Borussia Mönchengladbach has affirmed that they received a transfer fee of €20 million for newly called-up French international Manu Koné.

The transfer of Manu Koné from Borussia Mönchengladbach to AS Roma, which was confirmed yesterday, has led to varying reports. AS Roma characterized the agreement as a loan with a mandatory purchase clause, whereas other sources mentioned a straightforward transfer fee of €18 million.

According to Jan Lustig of Kicker magazine, Borussia Mönchengladbach secured an initial fee of €20 million for the 23-year-old, with the possibility of the total rising through performance-based incentives. This transaction could potentially become the second most lucrative in the club’s history.

It could potentially exceed Thorgan Hazard’s €25.5 million transfer to Borussia Dortmund in 2019 and Jannik Vestergaard’s €23 million move to Southampton the previous year. However, Koné’s transfer will not threaten the record for the largest outgoing transfer from BMG, which remains the €43 million sale of Granit Xhaka to Arsenal in 2016.