Jesper Lindstrom admits he is still torn over a summer move with Premier League quartet Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United all keen on the Bundesliga forward.
Towards the back end of 2022, former Eintracht Frankfurt coach Dragoslav Stepanovic issued a sterm warning to the Denmark international. Joining a ‘big club’, he said, was all well and good. But not if it leads to reduced game time and therefore impacts negatively on the 23-year-old’s development.
Jesper Lindstrom, it seems, is taking Stepanovic’s words on board.
Arsenal have held initial talks, with Frankfurt willing to consider offers in the region of £25 million (Sport1). Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg believes that Liverpool are also ‘in contact’.
Then there is Tottenham and Newcastle; two clubs in the market for an attacking midfielder capable of scoring or creating from central areas (EkstraBladet).
Lindstrom, however, will take time to weigh up the pros and cons, in the knowledge that the sort of guaranteed first-team football he enjoys at Frankfurt may not be replicated elsewhere.
Jesper Lindstrom is a Premier League target
“Yes and no,” he said, via BuliNews, when asked if he feels the time has come to leave the 2022 Europa League winners. “I’ve said that I enjoy playing in the Champions League and the big tournaments in general. But if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen.
“I love living and playing in Frankfurt. It’s a really cool place. The facilities are great, it’s a first-class city and the airport is close. My girlfriend also likes living there, which is important to me, because if she’s not happy, I’m not happy!”
Beyond any personal factors, there are also sporting concerns to consider.
“Before a transfer, I’d look at the coach, the style of play and the competition. If it’s possible to get playing time. If that’s not the case, I think it’s ridiculous to change clubs,” the Denmark international adds, before confirming interest from an RB Leipzig side losing talisman Christopher Nkunku to Chelsea.
“I leave it to my agent. (He) is talking to the people he needs to talk to, and then we’ll see what happens.”
Lindstrom is unlikely to be the leading target for any of the aforementioned Premier League quintet. Arsenal turned to Kai Havertz after accepting defeat over Mason Mount. Both Newcastle and Tottenham, meanwhile, have their sights fixed on Leicester City’s James Maddison.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
