After a decent outing with the German national team at Euro 2016, defender Jonas Hector is now subject to interest from Spanish side FC Barcelona.
According to Eduardo Fernandez-Abascal of the IB Times, Spanish giants FC Barcelona are tracking Koln’s highly rated left-back Jonas Hector. It is also reported that the Premier League duo of Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing the German, and that Barca would have to act quickly if they intend to secure his signature.
Barcelona are understood to be in the market looking for a back-up to current left-back Jordi Alba. A host of names including Villarreal starlet Adrian Marian, Bayer Leverkusen’s Wendell and Portugal international Raphael Guerreiro have also been linked to Catalan side. But with Guerreiro’s recent move to Borussia Dortmund, Hector seems like one of the hottest buys in the market for Luis Enrique.
According to WhoScored Jonas Hector achieved an average rating of 7.42 at left back this season, Ricardo Rodriguez only got a 7.11
— Anfields Latest (@TheKopsLatest) June 3, 2016
However, per Alex Wood of the Daily Star, English sides Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool are also in the lookout for a left-back, and have cited Hector as their primary transfer target. The report suggests that both the teams have had discussions with the player’s agents over a potential transfer.
If he is looking to clock regular playing minutes, Anfield would be his preferred location, due to dismal form showcased by left fullback Alberto Moreno. At Tottenham, the German might have his work cut out, playing second fiddle to the the emerging Danny Rose.
No offer has been made yet, says sporting director Schmadtke
As stated by German publication Sport, FC Koln are holding out for a fee of €18 million to allow the 26-year-old to leave the club. Additionally, the club’s sporting director Jörg Schmadtke recently went on to suggest that no concrete offer had been made for the player – still leaving the possibility open for a sale.
The player himself hinted at the possibility of him leaving Germany in an interview with Eurosport in March. According to the German website, Hector said:
“You always have to consider whether you are ready to take the next step. But at the moment I am not thinking about it. I think what we have to do at FC Koln is enough. I also have with the national team a big tournament ahead of us.”
But when asked if a call from Klopp would change his mind, he responded: “Then I would start to think about it.”
