West Ham United are said to be showing interest in 1. FSV Mainz 05’s Jonathan Burkardt.
This was initially reported in the UK and on Thursday, Fussball Transfers had branded the Hammers’ transfer idea as ‘rather questionable’.
Bürstädter Zeitung now relay claims made in the English press about West Ham’s interest in the 24-year-old and the provide their own take on this.
The striker is having an ‘outstanding season’ with the Bundesliga side and it’s no surprise it hasn’t gone unnoticed. Burkardt has scored 11 goals and registered two assists from 14 games in all competitions and become Mainz’s ‘fan favourite and life insurance’.
This means it won’t it easy for West Ham to try and take him away from the German club in the winter market.
Earlier this month, Mainz sporting director Niko Bungert stated Burkardt’s contract allows the club to be relaxed about his situation.
“That’s not a train of thought at all. He still has a longer contract, and we are maximally relaxed about it We are 100% happy about Jonny’s performance because he helps us tremendously and is a key factor in our success,” he said.
If Julen Lopetegui’s side were to still make an approach in January, the report states they will have to ‘dig deep into their pockets’. There’s no mention of Mainz’s request to sell the frontman, who has a contract lasting until 2027.
