Brighton & Hove Albion ‘preparing’ bid for Manchester United-linked Hoffenheim midfielder Christoph Baumgartner
Brighton & Hove Albion are ‘preparing’ a bid for Hoffenheim star Christoph Baumgartner, who has been linked with Manchester United, according to The Sun.
The Seagulls expect some of their biggest talents, like Moises Caicedo, to attract plenty of interest next summer. To that end, the East Sussex-based club have potential replacements on their radar, including the Austria international.
In the past, Premier League rivals Liverpool and Chelsea have also been associated with the 23-year-old. Within the Bundesliga, the playmaker is being eyed as well.
However, Brighton are looking to pip the other interested parties to Baumgartner. They have also sent scouts to watch him a number of times in the current campaign.
The Austrian has been pivotal for Hoffenheim over the years. As things stand, Der Blau are fighting for survival in the Bundesliga and are four points above the relegation zone.
Baumgartner has been their talisman this season. The 23-year-old’s current contract includes a £26 million release clause. However, that would be halved in case the PreZero Arena side dropped down to the second division.
Erik ten Hag has relied heavily on Casemiro and Christian Eriksen in the middle of the park in the current campaign. However, during the period the Brazilian was suspended and the Danish national was on the sidelines, the Red Devils lacked quality in the engine room.
Fred and Scott McTominay have done well on certain occasions when called upon by the gaffer. However, the two have been inconsistent in their displays. Also, Marcel Sabitzer is only on loan from Bayern Munich at the club until the end of the campaign.
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The Old Trafford side could evidently do with more strength in depth in the midfield. However, it remains to be seen whether we will challenge Brighton for Baumgartner’s signature.
