Virkus hopeful of retaining "building block" Weigl
Speaking to Sky Germany ahead of kickoff in the Saturday night "Top-Spiel" Borussia Möchengladbach sporting director Roland Virkus expressed a desire to speak with SL Benfica about a permanent purchase of German midfielder Julian Weigl.
One-time German national team midfielder Julian Weigl featured in the Borussia Mönchengladbach starting XI against Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday night for the first time since the current campaign's 21st matchday. The 27-year-old had been on the mend from a a syndesmosis rupture suffered in the win over Bayern.
The fact that Weigl's current loan club were unable to secure a purchase clause from parent club SL Benfica is effectively common knowledge. That notwithstanding, a permanent purchase could stand to benefit both clubs. The Portuguese club could net some cash by selling off an underachieving plater.
Glabach - following confirmation that Ramy Bensebaini, Marcus Thuram, and Lars Stindl would all be leaving the foals on expiring contracts after the season this week - desperately need some players to build a new squad around. BMG sporting director Roland Virkus confirmed that he wished to retain the six-times-capped German international during a pre-match interview.
"Julian could certainly be a building block," Virkus told Sky, "That's why we're clearly talking with Benfica."
Weigl retains a current estimated market worth of €15 million in the latest transfermarkt listings. This is down from a peak of €22 million at the end of last season. Dortmund sold Weigl to the Portuguese club for a reported €20 million in the January 2020 transfer window. Weigl has made a total of 18 appearances across all competitions for the foals this year.