Brighton and Hove Albion are ‘seriously considering’ a move for German defender Mats Hummels, according to Florian Plettenberg.

The 35-year-old was one of the stars for Borussia Dortmund last season as they reached the Champions League final.

Hummels posted tournament-highs for tackles, interceptions, clearances, headed clearances and possessions won in the defensive third as part of a Dortmund side that kept more clean sheets (6) than any other team.

However, the veteran was unable to stop Dortmund from succumbing to a 2-0 defeat against Real Madrid at Wembley, with second-half goals from Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Jr settling the tie.

Hummels — a 78-time Germany international and 2014 World Cup winner — left Dortmund at the end of the season upon the expiry of his contract.

Naturally given his quality and experience, Hummels is in high demand as a free agent and AC Milan were the first major European side to be linked with his signature earlier in the summer.

More recently, West Ham United were revealed as another potential suitor for Hummels, who is a five-time Bundesliga champion with Dortmund and Bayern Munich combined.

Brighton to hijack West Ham’s Hummels move?

According to Plettenberg, West Ham are at risk of losing out on Hummels with Brighton ‘seriously considering’ a move for the ball-playing centre-back — who is still also considering retirement.

“Brighton, seriously considering to sign Mats Hummels as a free agent,” the Sky Sports Germany reporter wrote on X. “There was a phone call between coach Fabian Hürzeler and Hummels in the last days about Brighton‘s project, Hummels’ ambition and more.

“Brighton [are] very open to signing Hummels as an experienced central defender. [The] 35-year-old has not yet made a final decision whether to continue or end his career.”

The post Major West Ham concern as rival ‘seriously considering’ hijacking transfer appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Bayern Munich’s swoop for Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Jonathan Tah is back on, according to reports.

Tah has been in high demand this summer following his role in Bayer Leverkusen’s Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double last season, playing 48 times across all competitions — scoring six goals — to help Die Werkself go unbeaten in domestic play and reach the Europa League final.

Manchester United have also been heavily linked with the 29-time Germany international, with the defender’s 2020 comments that the Premier League ‘appeals’ to him fanning the flames.

However, according to Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Bayern are back in the driving seat.

Tah has just one more year left to run on his Leverkusen contract and according to Plettenberg, Bayern still have an offer of €20m plus add-ons on the table.

Leverkusen are thought to be coming down from their initial €35/40m valuation, with a middle ground expected around €25m thanks to Tah’s desire to ‘immediately’ join Bayern Munich.

?? Bayern's offer of €20m (+5) for Jonathan #Tah is still on the table and valid. Leverkusen has now moved away from €35/40m.

This is also because Tah has once again made it clear internally in recent days that he will not extend his contract and wants to join Bayern… pic.twitter.com/TrIfr6W4Ll

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) August 3, 2024

Tah was one of the most effective defenders in the Bundesliga last season, finishing first among Leverkusen players for clearances (95), aerial duels won (62) and shots blocked (23).

With the 28-year-old seemingly no longer an option, Man Utd — whose new centre-back signing Leny Yoro faces months out with injury — will have to return their focus to other targets.

There is a chance losing out on Tah could help in their pursuit of Bayern centre-back Matthijs de Ligt, while Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite has been heavily linked with the Red Devils throughout this summer.

The post Man Utd-linked defender’s transfer to Bayern Munich is back on appeared first on CaughtOffside.

West Ham United have lodged their first ‘official’ bid for Borussia Dortmund striker Niclas Fullkrug, according to reports.

The Hammers were originally understood to be targeting Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran this summer, but appear to have walked away thanks to the Colombian’s £40m price tag.

Technical director Tim Steidten has now turned his attention to Dortmund target man Fullkrug.

The Hammers may face competition from Atletico Madrid for the 31-year-old striker, but according to German journalist Florian Plettenberg, it’s West Ham who have made the first move.

Plettenberg reports that West Ham have lodged an ‘official’ €25m-plus-add-ons offer but although Dortmund haven’t yet rejected the bid, they are understood to be demanding €30m all-in — with West Ham potentially unwilling to go that high.

The report also states that Fullkrug is ‘keen to join West Ham with immediate effect’, but if Dortmund’s demands remain too high, the Hammers will turn their attention back to Duran.

??? EXCLUSIVE | West Ham have made an official offer of €25m (with add-ons) for Niclas #Füllkrug! #BVB have not yet rejected this offer, but they are looking for €30m all-in. #WHUFC won’t pay that.

The 31 y/o is keen to join West Ham with immediate effect. He can sign a… pic.twitter.com/pnzHgHa0Cz

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) August 1, 2024

Fullkrug is something of a late bloomer when it comes to top-flight football, with his first season notching double-figure goals coming in 2017/18 when he scored 14 times in 34 Bundesliga appearances for Hannover.

Counting the likes of Nurnburg and Greuther Furth among his former clubs, Fullkrug joined Dortmund from Werder Bremen last summer and scored 15 goals in 43 appearances across all competitions — helping Die Schwarzgelben finish fifth in the Bundesliga and reach the Champions League final.

Fullkrug boasts an incredible record at national team level, scoring 13 goals in 21 caps for Germany so far since making his debut in November 2022.

The post West Ham make €25m ‘official offer’ for striker with 13 international goals appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Tottenham defender Eric Dier is being strongly linked with a move to Bayern Munich, and Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg has shared the latest on it. 

According to Plettenberg, Dier remains on the list of transfer targets for the Bundesliga giants, and there is now a ‘verbal agreement in principle’ about a potential move.

He adds that there have been talks of a permanent deal, but no final decision has been made yet.

He shared the update on X:

“News Eric Dier: Yes, he’s still on the list of FC Bayern and there is a verbal agreement in principle about a potential move now.”

“Talks and ideas about a permanent deal! But understand there is no final decision yet.”

“Dier was already a topic in the summer as excl. revealed. The contact has never been lost.”

? News Eric #Dier: Yes, he’s still on the list of FC Bayern and there is a verbal agreement in principle about a potential move now.

?? Talks and ideas about a permanent deal! But understand there is no final decision yet.

?? Bayern is exploring additional alternatives.… pic.twitter.com/Lhw3jG89TG

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) January 5, 2024

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Dier has fallen out of favour this season under Ange Postecoglou who has not been impressed by the defender.

The duo of Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero have been the preferred centre-backs at the back for Spurs and during the injuries, the Australian has gone as far as playing Emerson Royal as a makeshift centre-back over Eric Dier.

It has been made clear that he does not have a future under Ange. With his contract expiring in the summer, Levy will be keen on cashing in on him this month.

The post ‘There is a verbal agreement’ – Sky Sports reporter claims there are talks about a permanent deal for Spurs ace appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Transfer windows are tricky beasts at the best of times, but what we’ve witnessed this summer in respect of this entire Harry Kane to Bayern Munich saga, has been a masterclass from Harry Kane’s brother and agent, Charlie.

In order to cement Harry in everyone’s mind as a player worth £100 million or more, a scenario needed to be engineered whereby a big club came out and placed a bid. That’s how it works. You and your mates on Twitter suggesting that a player is worth ‘x’ doesn’t cut it, and as for websites such as Transfermarkt, the prices they quote are only there for guidance.

The notion that the England captain would suddenly abandon his pursuit of Alan Shearer’s Premier League goalscoring record seemed implausible. Then there was the idea that the Kane’s were eager to gather their young family and take them away from their extended family and start to navigate International Schools felt equally farfetched.

Gareth Bale was 6 years younger than Harry when he joined Real Madrid, and this all feels as if such a great adventure is somewhat behind him.

?? Harry #Kane won’t play against Barcelona tonight – according to colleague @SkyKaveh! He’s not even in the squad.

Ongoing negotiations between Bayern and Tottenham. But the time is running as Kane wants to have a decision soon.

?? FC Barcelona – Tottenham Hotspur live at… pic.twitter.com/IgosQU0AKa

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) August 8, 2023

That said, given how football transfer rumours are propagated these days, nobody needed to convince seasoned journalists.

One good example of a bad example to all of us has been Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, who has drawn what must feel like insufferable levels of abuse with a stream of updates that have been difficult to take seriously.

It’s regrettable for Bayern fans that their club hasn’t acted with the dignity Manchester City did when Charlie Kane was courting suitors.

There’s a midnight deadline!

Oh, hang on, there isn’t!

Bayern’s patience is being sorely tested!

It all rather sounds like a man shouting outside a shop with a closed sign hanging on the door. If any ongoing negotiations exit, they appear to be only in the mind of a dwindling crew still prepared to man the Good Ship Played.

The Kane’s have played a blinder, and more to the point, Harry’s reputation remains intact.

As for Florian, one might suggest he just takes a breath.

The post Opinion: Sky Sport journalist Plettigoal’s had a torrid old time of it appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester United have reportedly already taken steps as they wish to replace Paul Pogba, with Florian Plettenberg of SPORT1 shedding some light on the message they’ve sent to Leon Goretzka and his reps.

Plettenberg, a chief reporter for German publication SPORT1, has offered some more detail on the Red Devils’ interest in Goretzka after he was first named as a replacement for Pogba by Bild earlier today.

The SPORT1 man has now found that ‘bosses’ of United have informed the management of Goretzka that they wish to replace Pogba in a phone call, in a pretty risky transfer strategy by the Red Devils.

Plettenberg adds that Goretzka, who has been at Bayern since the summer of 2018, is listening to offers but wishes to stay in Munich as he ‘loves the club’.

Goretzka arrived in Bavaria on a free transfer and it seems smart to listen to offers with his contract expiring next summer, per the club, as himself and his representatives will at least need to test the waters just to ensure they get the terms they deserve from the Bundesliga powerhouses.

See More: ‘Mourinho must be behind these’ – These fans shocked as Man United star is rated a 6 by Sky Sports for display in England win against Germany

Update #Goretzka: The bosses of #MUFC told his management in the phone call that they want to replace @paulpogba. He will probably leave the club. But next to @ManUtd there are other clubs from ??????? interested in him. Next to #Barca and #RealMadrid. @SPORT1 https://t.co/Ej4io0Mjtz

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) June 30, 2021

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Perhaps the Red Devils have went all-out with their admission to the Goretzka environment on Pogba as they’ll have to battle other English clubs and mammoth sides Barcelona and Real Madrid for the ace.

Box-to-box machine Goretzka would undoubtedly be a fine addition to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, but some fans may not favour the 26-year-old over Pogba and won’t like the strategy to lure the ace.

In reportedly telling Goretzka’s agents that they intend to move on from Pogba with the Germany international, they risk unsettling a player whose had his future heavily speculated on since he returned to United, all for someone who doesn’t actually wish to leave his current club as it is.

The post Man United tell agents of world-class star that they want ace to replace Paul Pogba in risky transfer admission appeared first on CaughtOffside.

A Manchester United ‘boss’ has reportedly commented on the rumours that Kingsley Coman is a transfer target for the club, according to a breaking update from SPORT1 reporter Florian Plettenberg.

Plettenberg reports that a Red Devils official has branded Coman ‘very talented’ in comments on rumours that expressed the club’s unwillingness to comment on rumours – yeah you read that right.

One of SPORT1’s chief reporters has found that Coman, actually wants to extend his contract with Bayern Munich, but those around him are pushing for an exit.

SPORT1 detailed in an earlier report that the 25-year-old is contracted until 2023 but is asking for a massive salary raise to €20m-a-year, which the Bavarians wouldn’t even offer to David Alaba.

Plettenberg has now shared that Coman’s father, a family friend named Benoit Menye and intermediary Pini Zahavi are forcing the attacker to move clubs.

See More: Fabrizio Romano provides update on Man United’s pursuit of three transfer targets

Update #Coman: Bosses are sure that KC wants to extend. But they know that his father, Benoît Menye (family’s friend) & Zahavi are forcing his move to ???????. A boss from #MUFC told me: “We do not comment on rumors. We have scouts all over the world & Coman is very talented.” @SPORT1

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) June 22, 2021

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Coman, who is currently away with France for the Euros, could be the kind of player that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs, he’s won league titles with Bayern, Juventus and PSG, plenty of domestic cups and the Champions League with the Bavarians in 19/20.

The wide-man, who primarily features on the left but is just as threatening on the right flank, may be the perfect type of serial winner to bring the winning culture that United clearly lack at this moment in time.

Coman started 33 of his 39 appearances for Hansi Flick’s side this season, scoring eight times and showing his previously overlooked ability as a creator with 15 assists.

If Coman is to stick to the desires of his family and Zahavi, Bayern’s last real chance to sell the quality attacker for a respectable fee would be next summer, a year before his current deal expires.

The post Manchester United chief labels rumoured target ‘very talented’ as star finds himself in contract drama appeared first on CaughtOffside.