Too pricey: HSV have no chance with Bella-Kotchap | OneFootball

Hamburg SV's search for a central defender continues: Armel Bella-Kotchap is simply too expensive for the club and will therefore not move to Volkspark!

Hamburg SV has to suffer a setback in the transfer market: A commitment from desired player Armel Bella-Kotchap is off the table. The club's officials have removed the 23-year-old from FC Southampton from their list, the deal is likely to have fallen through! This is reported by the Mopo.

Originally, HSV had hoped for a loan of the defender. Bella-Kotchap, currently under contract with Premier League relegated Southampton, was considered an ideal puzzle piece for the vacant position in central defense. However, the talks with the English club did not ultimately bring the desired result.

The Saints are not thinking of a loan, but prefer a sale for around ten million euros transfer fee. Such a sum the Hamburgers cannot and do not want to pay. Bella-Kotchap's salary demands would probably only have been manageable within the framework of a loan deal.

Only the Diamond – All news about HSV

HSV: Vuskovic transfer also off the table?

Therefore, this chapter has been closed at Volkspark. Sporting director Stefan Kuntz, Director of Sport Claus Costa and Scouting Chief Sebastian Dirscherl are now intensively exploring the market for alternatives. Although they were aware that the Bella-Kotchap transfer could become complicated, the Rothosen still saw chances. Especially since the twice German national player had at least signaled basic interest in a move to HSV.

Another candidate in the form of Luka Vuskovic may also have become out of reach. The 18-year-old Croatian, brother of Mario Vuskovic, impressed in the pre-season at Tottenham Hotspur and is probably no longer available for a loan.

In the test match against Olympique Lyon on Saturday, coach Merlin Polzin will therefore rely on the known personnel in the three-man defense. Behind the scenes, however, the search for reinforcements continues at full speed. The goal: Ideally, the club wants to present a new central defender as early as next week!

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