Hoffenheim take interest in Japanese defender Koki Machida
Kicker reports that TSG 1899 Hoffenheim are attempting to bring Japanese centre-back Koki Machida to the Bundesliga. The 17-times-capped Samurai international currently plies his trade for Belgian Pro League champions Union Saint-Gilloise. Negotiations for a purchase of the €11m-valued professional are ongoing.
Hoffenheim continue to desperately find themselves in need of a defensive revamp following an awful season in which they conceded 68 league goals. Some help has already arrived in the form of versatile Brazilian defender Bernardo, who joined on a free transfer from Bochum.
Advertisement
Kicker also reiterates previous reports that the Sinsheimers have reconsidered their previous decision to part company with Norwegian loanee Leo Østigård. Hoffenehim presently negotiate a potential permanent purchase of the Norwegian from his parent club Stade Rennes.
Kicker claims that Hoffenheim have negotiated down Rennes' initial €10m asking price. Machida may be seen as an alternative to Østigård. The 27-year-old has something of an inconsistent season and may be available for a price significantly below his current estimated market value.
GGFN | Peter Weis
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
40 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Germany coach trusts his women's Euros team on social media, visits
Germany coach Christian Wück is not setting up strict rules on his players' social media activities and is also convinced of their maturity when it comes to planned visits from family and friends at the upcoming women's Euros. Wück told reporters on Saturday at Germany's pre-tournament camp in Herzogenaurach that the players have been educated on social media from the junior level onwards at the national federation DFB. Advertisement "If we now have to talk to grown-ups about what they are allowed to and what not then it is more or less too late," the former men's U17 coach said. Wück said the DFB is paying a lot of attention to "prepare the young players for what happens in social media." Spokeswoman Annette Seitz referred to the DFB's social media department which is monitoring various platforms. She said that "the players are handling it very responsibly" and added on potential shitstorms and hate comments: "Should something be coming from the other side about which we have to talk then we will do that." Advertisement Wück also expects common sense from his players when it comes to planned visits from family members and friends the day after each match at the team hotel in Zurich - into which they will move on Monday ahead of their first game against Poland on Friday. "That's exactly how I envisage the whole thing: We want a feel-good oasis, so to say. But of course we also want the players to perform at their best," Wück said. "I think it's a give and take. And so far it's working very, very well."
Yahoo
40 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Reports: Leverkusen after PSV's Tillman after Wirtz exit
Germany's Florian Wirtz (L) and France's Manu Kone stand on the pitch after the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Germany and France at Stuttgart Arena. Federico Gambarini/dpa Bundesliga runners-up Bayer Leverkusen are reportedly out to sign midfielder Malik Tillman from PSV Eindhoven. German sports magazine Kicker and Dutch paper Eindhoven Dagblad said that Tillman could cost Bayer up to €40 million ($46.8 million). He is said to receive a five-year contract in Leverkusen who are now coached by Dutchman Erik ten Hag. Advertisement Tillman, 23, is said to have a release clause in his contract but there appear to be uncertainties about its activation. The attacking midfielder came to PSV on loan from Bayern Munich in 2023 and was later signed permenantly. He is currently playing with the United States national team at the regional Gold Cup championship in the US. In Leverkusen, Tillman would fill the void left by Florian Wirtz who has left for Liverpool in a deal that could be worth up to €150 million.
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Jurgen Klopp says Club World Cup ‘worst idea ever implemented in football' due to calendar concern
Jurgen Klopp has said the expanded Club World Cup 'is the worst idea ever implemented in football' in relation to football's calendar and restricted time for player development. Former Liverpool boss Klopp, now head of global soccer at Red Bull (RB Salzburg competed in this year's Club World Cup but were eliminated in the group stage), raised the tournament's introduction when asked about developing players, and also drew on the volume of matches they play and the likelihood of increased injury risk. Advertisement Speaking to German outlet Welt when asked about player training in specific positions, he said: 'In the end, it's all about the game and not the surrounding aspects — and that's why the Club World Cup is the worst idea ever implemented in football in this regard. 'People who have never had anything to do with day-to-day business or who no longer have anything to do with it come up with something.' Speaking specifically on player workload, Klopp said: 'Last year we had the Copa America and European Championship, this year the Club World Cup and next year then the World Cup. 'This does not mean any real recovery for the players who are there, neither physically nor mentally. An NBA player, who also earns a big salary, has a four-month break every year. This is what (Liverpool defender) Virgil van Dijk got in his entire career.' The Club World Cup began on June 14 and concludes on July 13. The new Premier League season kicks off on August 15, the new Serie A seasons kick off on August 23, La Liga and Ligue 1 on August 17, and the Bundesliga on August 22. Ahead of the tournament, FIFPro — the global representative organisation of player unions to ensure their collective recognition — called for the introduction of a mandatory four-week off-season break to safeguard against excessive workloads at the elite level and ease a congested football calendar. Concerns have also been raised regarding the heat in which Club World Cup matches are being played. The group stages of the tournament concluded earlier this week, with the last-16 stage starting on Saturday. (Joerg Mitter/Red Bull Content Pool via Getty Images)
