Kicker Report: Frankfurt make last-minute push in race for Skhiri
Journalist Julian Franzke of Germany's preeminent footballing publication reports that Eintracht Frankfurt sporting CEO Markus Krösche is making one last push for former Köln midfielder Ellyes Skhiri as the Tunisian nears a decision about his future.
After reportedly dropping their direct pursuit of him some months back, Eintracht Frankfurt are - according to Julian Franzke of Germany's Kicker Magazine - now prepared to make another overture to Tunisian midfielder Ellyes Skhiri. Franzke writes that SGE sporting CEO Markus Krösche is working hard on a pitch to the 28-year-old. The German journalist claims that Krösche is prepared to make promises of regular playing time and potentially even a leadership role.
Ostensibly, Eintracht could guarantee Skhiri a set role as a deep-six. With captain Sebastian Rode retiring after the coming campaign, the Tunisian might even get a chance to don the skipper's armband as a fixture in defensive midfield. It remains to be seen if such sporting prospects will prove attractive to the €13-million-valued player as there have been rumors of other offers from the Serie A and La Liga. One assumes that clubs such as AC Milan and FC Sevilla can offer Skhiri better salary prospects.
Franzke concludes his analysis by noting that, one way or another, Skhiri's decision about where to play next year is close to being made. The Kicker journalist even goes so far as to cite the magazine's own internal sources to claim that the 54-times-capped international will make his intentions clear "at the beginning of the week."