By Paul Gorgas
Rumors about the French latte Ludovic Ajorque from Strasbourg! But Krzysztof Piatek blocks the possible transfer.
The biggest construction site in the Hertha squad: almost three weeks before the start of the league, coach Sandro Schwarz’s team (43) is missing number 1 up front.
Stevan Jovetic (32/6 goals) was the top scorer last season. However: With this goal quota, Hertha will hardly be able to conquer the top places in the table. And the Montenegro international is prone to injury and is only doing individual training at the moment.
Sports director Fredi Bobic (50) has been looking for a new goalscorer for months. Hot Candidate: Strasbourg’s Ludovic Ajorque (28). As the “Kicker” reports, Ajorque is said to have been in Berlin. According to “L’Equipe”, there should be agreement between Hertha and Ajorque about a change.
Problem: The capital club lacks the money for the transfer!
Strasbourg should call for around 16 million euros for the storm giant (1.97 meters). But as long as Hertha does not record large revenues, there is no money for the transfer.
When and how will Bobic solve the striker problem?
He two sales candidates in attack. Krzysztof Piatek (27) is the top earner with a basic salary of EUR 4.5 million. However, there is a lack of interested parties for the Pole. With its numerous changes of coach, Hertha has destroyed its market value of once 24 million euros.
No coach relied on Piatek’s sneaking style of play in the penalty area. Added to this is the lack of backward movement. It’s hard to imagine that a club would transfer 11 to 15 million euros for him and pay him the same salary. Here there is a risk of transfer blockade or a mega loss.
Davie Selke (27) is also to be sold. The striker only played 996 minutes and scored four league goals last season. With a salary of 2.5 million, he is probably looking at a free transfer in 2023. Transfer income is unrealistic for him.
Hertha BSC
So how could Bobic come into play at Ajorque? Only through price reductions at Piateks fee.
Bobic’ second hope is the transfer final sprint at the end of August. Then clubs in need buy or borrow B or C variants. The only question is who will then be left for Hertha’s storm problem. That a caliber how Ajorque is then still on the market is unlikely.