Bayer 04 Leverkusen target Swiss defender Albian Hajdari | OneFootball

Already linked with a move for German international Malick Thiaw of AC Milan, Bayer 04 Leverkusen might be looking south for another defensive reinforcement. Sky Germany reports that Germany’s red company team are interested in bringing Swiss international Albian Hajdari from FC Lugano to the Bundesliga. The 21-year-old maintains an estimated market value of €9m. Hajdari was last sold to Lugano from the Juventus youth system.

Whereas Thiaw is considered a potential direct replacement for German international Jonathan Tah, Hajdari could serve as Ecuadorian defender Piero Hincapie’s stand-in. Like Hincapie, Hajdari enjoys a reputation as a hard and courageous tackler who can serve in both the centre and on the left of the defensive line. Leverkusen have evidently been scouting him for quite some time.

Whether or not a replacement for Hincapie will be required at all naturally remains to be seen. Unlike Tah, the 44-times-capped Ecuadorian international remains under contract with die Werkself long-term. With much fanfare, Hincapie signed a lucrative contract extension this past December. Leverkusen may still wish to cash in on their now €50m-valued defender whilst outside interest exists.

GGFN | Peter Weis