Borussia Mönchengladbach’s interest in notable Bundesliga professionals in the coming summer transfer window has produced another name. Sport Bild reports that the foals are eyeing Holstein Kiel striker Shuto Machino. The 25-year-old has recorded three braces in the league this year and has scored 11 goals in 31 appearances across all competitions.
Gladbach are reportedly also interested in bringing in FC Union Berlin striker Benedict Hollerbach to help shore up their attack, but might find it easier to pry the Japanese international away from a relegated side. Whether or not Kiel will be relegated nevertheless remains to be seen. Machino has played a big role in the resurgence of Marcel Rapp’s Störche in recent weeks.
Machino’s third league brace of the season led Kiel to victory over Gladbach in the league last week. Kiel have pulled four points off of upper table clubs Gladbach and Leipzig over the last two weeks, yet still might fight hard to avoid the drop with a tough remaining schedule. Augsburg, Freiburg, and Dortmund await on the docket.
Kiel signed Machino away from Shonan Bellmare on a free during the January 2023 transfer window. Since then, the six-times-capped Samurai international has increased his estimated market value from €1.5m to €3.5m. He’s scored a total of 16 goals for his club in the Bundesliga, 2. Bundesliga, and German Cup.
GGFN | Peter Weis
