Florian Grillitsch will make reported suitors Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur wait for a transfer, as Kicker report he is ‘all set to say goodbye’ to Hoffenheim in the summer.
The midfielder is out of contract at the end of the term, but is unlikely to agree a new deal. He has long sought to leave the Rhein-Neckar-Arena to further his career, but the Covid-19 pandemic slowed down his plans.
Grillitsch has also not forgotten or forgiven Hoffenheim for previously blocking a switch to AC Milan. So, he is looking to leave on a free as he strives to make the leap to a bigger club.
Grillitsch joined Hoffenheim in 2017 after leaving German rivals Werder Bremen at the end of his contract. The Austrian helped TSG qualify for the Champions League in his first season in Baden-Wurttemberg. He has remained a mainstay of their engine room since.
Sebastian Hoeness has started the 26-year-old in 11 of Hoffenheim’s 17 Bundesliga fixtures so far this season. He has also made one substitute appearance after missing the first three games of the German top-flight campaign through injury.
Grillitsch deals Newcastle and Tottenham transfer blow
Grillitsch’s readiness to leave Hoffenheim but not until the summer transfer window may deal blows to Newcastle and Tottenham’s plans for the upcoming January sales, however.
Reports by The Sun in November claimed Newcastle were eager to beat Roma to a January transfer for Hoffenheim’s Grillitsch. The Toon hope the midfielder – who has made seven of his 12 Bundesliga appearances this season at centre-half – can help their bid for survival.
Newcastle have been chasing the 33-cap technician for months and have the money to lure him to Tyneside. Hoffenheim are also only expected to demand £3m-4m to sell in January.
Tottenham are also interested in Grillitsch given his contractual situation at Hoffenheim. Sky Germany report Spurs have now expressed their interest in a potential transfer in 2022.
The north Londoners could offer Grillitsch the step up to a bigger club that he craves. The Magpies will also hope he considers St James’ Park an upgrade, but may now have to wait.
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