kicker reports that Hoffenheim’s move for Red Bull Salzburg central defender Oumar Solet is on the verge of collapsing in the final stages.
The deal that was said to be around €6.5-7m and was in the home stretch has collapsed, Solet was also a target for VfB Stuttgart and Leicester City this summer. This is the second time that a Hoffenheim move for a centre-back has collapsed this summer after a move for Le Havre’s Étienne Youté Kinkoué also fell through.
Hoffenheim will now turn their attention to Southampton and former Bochum defender Armel Bella-Kotchap who is close to joining the side for around €15m. This summer, centre-back is a clear area that Hoffenheim are looking to improve upon as they are currently lacking in senior options after the injury to Ozan Kabak.
So far it has been a quiet summer at the Rhein-Neckar Arena. The only new face is Austrian Alexander Prass who joined from Sturm Graz last week. However, the departure of Maximilian Beier to Borussia Dortmund for close to €30m will give Hoffenheim additional funds to improve their squad, with the new season only a week away.
GGFN | Jack Meenan
