Sport Bild Report: Mainz consider quartet of central defenders in search for help at the back
Germany's main sporting tabloid reports that FSV Mainz 05 have their eyes on four potential defensive reinforcements ahead of the coming January transfer window.
| Ermin Bicakcic. | Photo: Silesia711, CC-by-SA 4.0 |
The Bundesliga's current 10th placed team desperately needs another reliable CB to serve alongside veterans Stefan Bell and Alexander Hack in Bo Svensson's back-three. Germany U21 international Maxim Leitsch was acquired this offseason for precisely that purpose, but may not be able to make a comeback from what the club has freely admitted are some mental health issues.
According to the newspaper, four candidates are currently in the focus of the Mainz administrative duo. Underused youngsters Marton Dardai (Hertha BSC) and Keven Schlotterbeck (SC Freiburg) could be obtained via loan. The Pfälzer front-office men are also considering bringing in a third veteran, Ermin Bicakcic of TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, on a free transfer in the likely event that his current club might terminate his contract.
SV Darmstadt 98 and Ghanian national team center-halve Patric Pfeiffer apparently remains in the running as well. The Hamburg native, who obviously would not come cheap, could constitute a major coup for the FSV. Werder Bremen and Eintracht Frankfurt have also been linked with the high-value prospect.
Most German footballing insiders consider it only a matter of time before Pfeiffer features regularly in the German top footballing division. The 23-year-old may nevertheless prefer to accomplish that feat with his current 2. Bundesliga club, who currently top the second-tier table. Pfeiffer maintains an estimated market worth of €3 million in the latest transfermarkt listings.