Jonas Hofmann has confirmed that he has turned down a new contract at Borussia Monchengladbach amid talks over a move to Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur, speaking to BuliNews.
Versatile, hard-working, experienced and blessed with an eye for goal; Hofmann is not the most glamourous name on Spurs’ radar w this summer but avid Bundesliga watchers will know exactly why Antonio Conte likes him.
BILD reported last month that Tottenham had entered talks with the German international. And, just a couple of weeks out from his 30th birthday, Hofmann believes the time is right for a new challenge on the back of Gladbach’s highly-disappointing tenth place finish in 2021/22.
“The timing just isn’t right at this moment,” Hofmann says when quizzed about his reluctance to extend a contract that expires in the summer of 2023.
Will Jonas Hofmann join Ivan Perisic at Tottenham Hotspur?
Adi Hutter walked away from the Borussia Park hotseat after just one rather troublesome season at the helm and, thus far, Gladbach have been unable to secure a replacement. Legendary former boss Lucien Favre recently turned down a return to North Rhine Westphalia.
“I can only hope that the (coaching) issue is resolved quickly so that everyone can start planning. An answer would simplify the situation for the club, the players, and everyone involved,” Hofmann adds, the uncertainty hanging over Gladbach’s immediate future casting further doubt on his own destiny.
With a career-best 12 goals, the former Dortmund youngster was a ray of light in a dark season for Gladbach. Hofmann has been utilised with increasing effectiveness on the right-hand side of the frontline in recent seasons.
He is more than capable of filling in as a wing-back or in place of Dejan Kulusevski at Tottenham however, giving Conte – who recently brought in another experienced, tactically flexible wide player in Ivan Perisic – an injection of both quality and quantity in the final third.
“He’s a very intelligent player,” Germany coach Hansi Flick says of the late-blooming Hofmann. “(He is) comfortable on the ball and has good pace. He’s there or thereabouts when goals are being scored. And he’s got enormous quality.”
Hofmann’s arrival in North London would potentially pave the way for Lucas Moura to depart.
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