Gladbach updates: BMG linked with Hwang and three Greeks
As Borussia Mönchengladbach sporting director Roland Virkus prepares for a busy January transfer window, Germany's main sporting tabloid has the club executive and his administrative team linked with a former Bundesliga striker and two Greek defenders.
The foals are also thought to be interested in Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis of AZ Alkmaar, who came up through the VfL Bochum academy.
In addition to having Croat marksman Dion Drena Beljo lined up as a potential Marcus Thuram replacement, Germany's "Sport Bild" tabloid reports that Borussia Mönchengladbach are also considering bringing South Korean International Hee-Chan Hwang back to the Bundesliga. The former Hamburger SV and RB Leipzig attacker has been playing in the English Premiership the past two seasons, first on loan and then as a permanent transfer at Wolverhampton.
The foals are also thought to be interested in Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis of AZ Alkmaar, who came up through the VfL Bochum academy.
The 26-year-old featured much more prominently for Wolves last season during his loan stint. Hwang has not scored any goals and registered one loan assist in 13 appearances across all competitions for the West Midlands side this year. Though still a member of Paulo Bento's South Korean national team squad, Hwang has not logged any minutes in the current World Cup group phase. The player's estimated market value is down to €12 million in the current transfermarkt listings.
Hwang never scored a Bundesliga goal in 20 appearances for Leipzig, but did find the back of the net three times for the German Red Bulls in the DFB Pokal. He has a pair of league tallies to his credit in the 2. Bundesliga from his time with Hamburger SV. It is such that, even "Sport Bild" notes, that there might not be much to the rumors. BMG links with Beljo or separate whispers suggesting that the foals are interested in Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis might have more truth to them.
Pavlidis came up through the VfL Bochum academy and has a combined five years of German footballing experience that includes a highly successful loan stint with BVB II. Pavlidis isn't the only Greek being traded as a possible future Gladbach player. "Sport Bild" also reports that Virkus and staff have been tracking Konstantinos Koulierakis of PAOK Thessaloniki. The 19-year-old central defender, who recently made his debut for the Greek national team, is widely regarded to be a rising star with a worth in the €3-5 million range.
Gladbach may nevertheless opt for someone with more direct Bundesliga experience in their search for some much-needed help in central defense. Former Bayer 04 Leverkusen center back Panagiotis Retsos departed German football on a free-transfer last January. Though generally regarded to be something of a flop, the 24-year-old still has 31 top-tier fixtures under his belt and could be available for much cheaper from current parent club Hellas Verona.
Retsos has been playing on loan for Olympiakos this year, where he has again struggled with injury. His current estimated market value stands at around €2.5 million in the latest TM listings.