Bundesliga News

Wolfsburg transfer targets:
Midfielder Niklas Dorsch and keeper Ron-Thorben Hoffmann on the VfL ledger

By Peter Weis   @PeterVicey

Already looking to Portugal for their next attacking reinforcement, two separate media sources reported on two additional transfer targets for VfL Wolfsburg managers Jörg Schmadtke and Marcel Schäfer.

Germany's Sport Bild reports the Wolves set their sights on former Bayern prospect and German U21 international Niklas Dorsch.

German footballing magazine Kicker reports that Germany's green company team also wish to pluck Bayern reserve keeper Ron-Thorben Hoffmann. 
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Photo: Ungry Young Man/CC-by-SA 3.0
It should be a much busier summer in lower Saxony than last year. Respected VfL Wolfsburg managers Jörg Schmadtke and Marcel Schäfer may need to retool their side for a potential Champions' League autumn. Reports surfaced late last week that Norbeto Bercique Gomes "Beto" Betuncal of Portuguese side SC Portimonense is on the summer wish list.


To that list one can ostensibly add two more names. Former Bayern youth prospect Niklas Dorsch, who still regularly features for Stefan Kuntz's German U21 side, left the Bundesrepublik last summer. The 23-year-old attacking midfielder moved to Belgian side KAA Gent from second-tier club FC Heidenheim for €3.5 million. Dorsch may be on his way back to Germany.

Appearing in 39 competitive games for the Jupiler Pro league side, Dorsch has scored four goals and bagged four assists. Accordingly, his market value has risen to €7 million in the latest transfermarkt listings. Bild reports that the club is seeking to move him for just over or under that amount. The tabloid also reports that Wolfsburg are interested.

An article appearing on Kicker's website concerning the VfL's interest in Bayern's current third-string keeper seems, at first glance, somewhat curious. The squad actually already carries four keepers in Koen Casteels, Pavao Pervan, Lino Kasten, and Niklas Klinger. The club managers nevertheless appear in the mood to shop for another, snatching up Ron-Thorben Hoffmann on an expiring contract.

Presumably, Schmadtke and Schäfer sense an opportunity to nab a promising prospect and perhaps ship him out on loan. Hoffmann has served as the main keeper at FC Bayern II this season, starting 19 fixtures and garnering an average Kicker grade of 3,0.


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