Earlier this month, we covered claims from Germany that West Ham United have included 1. FSV Mainz 05’s Jonathan Burkardt in their target list for the summer window.
It was also reported Mainz 05 are looking for a club-record fee to sell him. The current record is held by Brajan Gruda, who was sold for €31.5m to Brighton & Hove Albion last summer.
A fresh report from Bild claims West Ham are one of the clubs in the picture to sign the striker.
The 24-year-old graduated from Mainz 05’s academy and was promoted to the first team in 2018. He starred this season, managing 15 goals and three assists from 21 games in all competitions.
Burkardt’s impressive performances for the Bundesliga club have helped him make debut for Germany last October. It has also drawn the attention of other clubs, including West Ham.
Bild state there’s been ‘serious interest’ from Eintracht Frankfurt, West Ham and AC Milan so far. As well as the trio, more clubs in Germany and abroad could be looking at the frontman.
Taking his form into account, the report claims even €50m ‘doesn’t seem unreasonable’ to secure his services. This may be high considering his contract lasts until 2027 and he’s currently valued at €25m by Transfermarkt.
The German has scored 14 league goals so far and can surpass Shinji Okazaki and André Schürrle’s 15 league goals in a season for Mainz 05.
