Leeds United, Everton and Arsenal target Josip Brekalo has asked to leave Bundesliga side VFL Wolfsburg, sporting director Jorg Schmadtke has told Kicker.
To be honest, Schmadtke’s admission shouldn’t take anyone by surprise.
Speculation surrounding the future of the Croatian winger has gone into overdrive in recent weeks amid reported interest from Premier League clubs.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Brekalo has even cancelled the rental agreement on his apartment in Germany. Clearly, the Zagreb-born 23-year-old expects to have a new club – and a new home – by the time September rolls around.
The report adds Brekalo has informed Schmadtke of his desire to leave in the current transfer window – something the Wolfsburg director confirmed after Brekalo was left out of the 2-1 friendly defeat to Atletico Madrid on Saturday.
“Josip has expressed his wish to want to change. (The negotiation) includes three parties,” says Schmadtke, refusing to name the clubs in question.
Could Josip Brekalo head to Leeds United, Arsenal or Everton?
It’s understood Wolfsburg, who secured Champions League qualification last season, want £13 million for a man who scored his first career hat-trick, against Union Berlin, in May.
Everton, Leeds and Arsenal have been linked, with Corriere dello Sport claiming Mikel Arteta has specifically requested the quicksilver Brekalo as his ambitious rebuilding project continues to go from strength to strength.
Leicester City are the latest club to have expressed an interest, via The Mirror (25 July, page 62), although Brekalo is reported to have a number of admirers in Serie A too.
Compared to Arjen Robben thanks to his searing pace and tendency to cut in from the wing, Brekalo’s speed, skill and eye for goal should, in theory at least, make him an exciting addition to the Premier League.
But, having produced just 17 goals and 11 assists in 115 Bundesliga games, his end product may need some work.
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