Leicester City’s transfer woes continue with Hoffenheim set to pip them to the signing of Czech striker Adam Hlozek.
City had agreed a loan-to-buy deal for the 22-year-old Bayer Leverkusen forward and were negotiating personal terms. But Hoffenheim have swooped and now look favourites to complete the signing.
While City’s deal would only have been made permanent next summer should they have secured Premier League survival, Hoffenheim want to buy him outright this summer. Bild in Germany say a €17m (£14.5m) fee has been agreed, with Hlozek agreeing to a long-term contract.
Hoffenheim are able to afford such a fee because of the sale of Maximilian Beier to Borussia Dortmund and because of the sell-on clause they have in Georginio Rutter’s contract. The Frenchman is about to complete a £40m switch from Leeds to Brighton, and so Hoffenheim know they’re in for a windfall.
On paper, Hoffenheim are also the more attractive club. While City would likely be in a relegation battle, Hoffenheim are expected to compete in the top half of the Bundesliga table, and will play Europa League football this coming season.
That City have not signed a striker this week means, unless Jamie Vardy or Patson Daka have made a miraculous recovery, Steve Cooper will have to choose between Tom Cannon, Stephy Mavididi, and Bobby De Cordova-Reid to lead the line against Tottenham on Monday night (8pm kick-off). Mavididi will be the favourite, having replaced Daka when he hobbled off against Lens last weekend.
