Free agent Florian Grillitsch is to decide his future imminently, amid offers in England, Italy and Turkey, with Arsenal and Leeds among those interested in the former Hoffenheim ace.
That’s according to Sky Germany, who report Grillitsch is eager to link up with his new side soon after leaving Die Kraichgauer at the end of his contract in June. The Austrian enjoyed five years at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena, over which he made 151 appearances for 11 assists.
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Grillitsch decided that this summer was the right time to leave Hoffenheim, who acquired his services from Werder Bremen for free in 2017, as he can secure a lucrative contract as a free agent. The midfield anchor earned around £35k-a-week over his Kraichgauer career.
A bidding war for his services will also allow Grillitsch’s agent to demand the best terms for his client. Turkish giants Besiktas, Galatasaray and Trabzonspor are fighting to take the 26-year-old to the Super Lig and are improving their deals for the 33-cap technician every day.
The Istanbul and Trabzon sides are leading the race for Grillitsch’s services with their ever-improving proposals. But he also has offers from unnamed clubs in England and Italy ready to present an adventure in the Premier League or Serie A for him to add to the Bundesliga.
Arsenal, Leeds among clubs interested in former Hoffenheim anchor Grillitsch
Arsenal and Leeds are among the English clubs to show an interest in signing Grillitsch this summer. The Telegraph cited the north London and West Yorkshire outfits as possible new sides for the Austrian, along with Everton, this April as he prepared to depart Hoffenheim.
The Daily Mail also cited interest from West Ham and Newcastle United as options in April. But a free transfer to Italy seemed the most likely route earlier this month, until Fiorentina sporting director Daniele Prade shared the midfielder’s demands were too much for them.
“We followed him a lot, and it could have been an opportunity on a free transfer,” he said, via TuttoMercatoWEB. “We met with his agents, and I say we didn’t like [the] speeches like those about paying for dad. That’s not good. So, we decide who to work with, or not.”
Fiorentina turning down Grillitsch, who Sky Austria once quoted Julian Nagelsmann calling ‘exceptional’, may spark new life into Arsenal, Leeds et al’s interest to rival Super Lig sides.
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