"Timing" and nerves of steel: How HSV pulled off their mega deals! | OneFootball

With the commitments of Albert Sambi Lokonga and Fábio Vieira, HSV made a real statement on Deadline Day. The deals are the result of painstaking work.

Rarely before had the last transfer day at Hamburger SV been so eventful: In the form of Albert Sambi Lokonga and Fábio Vieira, the Rothosen signed two Premier League professionals from FC Arsenal. The transfer of the playmaker Vieira, valued at 22 million euros, particularly surprised all observers.

“We didn't let ourselves be rushed and didn't lose patience too early,” explained Sports Director Claus Costa a day after Deadline Day in a media round. While the transfer of Lokonga was finalized a few hours before the window closed, Vieira's loan developed into a real last-minute deal. “There was no chance with Fábio at the beginning,” Costa described. Only shortly before the deadline did an opportunity arise. And the HSV bosses seized the decisive moment.

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HSV makes a bargain with Lokonga!

The key: early planned restraint. At the beginning of the transfer phase, the club had deliberately kept roster spots open to be able to react flexibly at the end. Costa speaks of “a lot of communication,” “good nerves in between,” and “good timing.” All factors that helped not to miss the crucial seconds in a tight market.

The fact that Lokonga became a real bargain, costing not the initially rumored three million euros but rather an amount below the million mark, was as much a result of patience as of calculation: Since Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta no longer relied on him and two loans to Luton Town and FC Sevilla did not bring the desired result, a “charming opportunity” arose, as Costa put it.

Thus, HSV was able to make three late statements with Lokonga, Vieira, and the young Luka Vuskovic. All three players possess, at least on paper, a quality that has little place in the Bundesliga relegation battle.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.