Kicker reports that Werder Bremen are hopeful of re-uniting Hoffenheim attacking prospect Fisnik Asllani with his former Elversberg mentor Horst Steffen this summer. Steffen coached the German Kosovar in the 2. Bundesliga last season. Now that Steffen has taken the reins in Bremen, there’s plenty of chatter about bringing former Elversberg players to the Hanseaten.
Asllani has no shortage of Bundesliga suitors. The 22-year-old’s estimated market value has skyrocketed from €1.2m to €8m in the last ten months after he netted 19 goals and contributed ten assists 37 appearances across all competitions for Elversberg last year. The Berlin-native and former Union Berlin academy man counts as one of the current hottest commodities in German football.
Hoffenheim themselves are keen to retain Asllani’s services after the striker gained traction during his loan stints with Elversberg and FK Austria Wien. Asllani made a total of ten top flight appearances for the Sinsheimers during the 2021/22 and 2022/23 Bundesliga campaigns. His current Hoffenheim contract is due to expire at the end of next season.
Kicker notes that Hoffenheim are actively trying to extend with Asllani. For Bremen, cost remains an issue in their pursuit of the player. Hoffenheim are said to demand a minimum €7.5m transfer fee for Asllani. Steffen’s new club must raise the capital first.
Kicker and other reliable German footballing media sources presently report that the issues with former Bremen head coach Ole Werner’s appointment at RB Leipzig have been worked out. Werner’s former club will receive approximately €2m in compensation.
Naturally, more inlays are required. A sale of want-away striker Marvin Ducksch (estimated market value €6m) would put Steffen’s club over the top. Kicker nevertheless notes that Bremen haven’t received any offers for Ducksch yet.
GGFN | Peter Weis
