Report: Torunarigha sale might bring Marc-Oliver Kempf to Hertha early
Baden's local newspaper the Stuttgarter Nachrichten reports that Hertha BSC may be willing to pay for defender Marc-Oliver Kempf now in the event of a Jordan Torunarigha departure.
In the event that a transfer for dissatisfied defender Jordan Torunarigha can be secured, Hertha BSC will find themselves in acute need of extra assistance at the back. One of Baden-Württemberg's local dailies reports that this may expedite Marc-Oliver Kempf's move away from VfB Stuttgart.
Kempf's departure from Swabia following this season has long been treated as inevitable. The 26-year-old center back has repeatedly resisted attempts by his current club to extend his expiring contract. Most transfer rumors over the summer linked the former Germany U21 international with a move to Frankfurt. Others also listed clubs abroad as interested parties.
The Stuttgarter Nachrichten claims that there is a verbal agreement in place with Hertha BSC. A report appearing in the daily on Monday notes that a transfer to the capital city club was concluded "some time ago". Charlottenburg's "alte Dame" would not have to pay a transfer fee once Kempf's contract elapses in June 2022.
Should Torunarigha leave, however, Fredi Bobic and the administrative team may be willing to pay now. Without the injured Marton Dardai, the squad presently only carries two other central defenders--capatain Dedryck Boyata and veteran Niklas Stark--besides Torunarigha. Kempf also finds himself in confident. An unlikely scorer's brace in week one against Fürth earned him a place in the team-of-the-week in most publications.
Transfermarkt lists Kempf's current estimated market value at €8 million. A Torunarigha sale could net the club a similar offsetting amount.