Kickers reports that Hoffenheim is interested in Hertha Berlin striker Haris Tabakovic to replace loan player Wout Weghorst.

Negotiations between the parties are said to be well advanced, as Hoffenheim wants to replace goalkeepers Maximilian Beier and Weghorst from last season.

Although Hoffenheim already have Adam Hlzoek and Mergim Berisha as attacking options this summer, neither of them have the profile to replace Weghorst. Hoffenheim want a classic number nine and that is something Tabakovic can provide.

In addition, Hoffenheim has an eye on the future: they do not want to rely on Max Moerstadt at the moment, but also do not want to hinder his chances in the first team. The 30-year-old Tabakovic is a detour from Hoffenheim’s usual approach of signing young players, but he should give Moerstadt the opportunity to develop.

For Hertha, this could be the second loss of a key player this summer, as Fabian Reese has been linked with a move to Freiburg. The problem for Hertha is that they derive a lot of their money from player sales, so when a good enough offer comes in for a player, their hands are usually tied.

Last season, Tabakovic was one of the top scorers in the 2. Bundesliga with 22 goals and finished ninth in his first season in the capital after moving from Austria Vienna.

Jack Meenan