Kicker Report: Hoffenheim take interest in Torunarigha
Since departing his old academy side Hertha BSC nearly two years ago, former German youth international Jordan Torunarigha has often been linked with a return to German football. German footballing journalist Michael Ebert of the Bundesrepublik's preeminent footballing publication now reports that TSG 1899 Hoffenheim are strongly considering bringing the 26-year-old back. The left-footer has been playing in the Belgian Pro League with Gent for the past two seasons.
Hoffenheim are currently contending with the fact that center backs Stanley Nsoki and Attila Szalai proved monumental transfer flops. The Kraichgauer opted not to re-sign German-American John Anthony Brooks, who left Sinsheim as a free-agent once his contract lapsed. Torunarigha may prove a good fit for Hoffenheim not merely as a player, but also a personality. Fellow German heritage defender Kevin Akpoguma, like Torunarigha, also opted to represent Nigeria later in his career.
The two defenders with much in common could help stabilize the TSG defensive corps. Torunarigha could be obtained for a very reasonable transfer fee in the €3-5 million range. The Chemnitz-born Torunarigha also shares the same professional representation as striker Maximilian Beier. Ebert writes that the Hoffenheim front office are fed up with the firm Rogon sports management; with whom large transfer fees for Nsoki and Szalai were negotiated.