According to the Chronicle, NUFC scouts have been taking a close look at Hoffenheim’s Andrej Kramaric ahead of a potential summer bid – the ex-Leicester striker who has over 30 goals across his last two seasons in Germany.
The Croatian international became Leicester City’s club-record signing back in January 2015, however he went on to score just 4 goals across 20 appearances for the Foxes.
He was loaned out to Hoffenheim just a year on from his arrival in England and has been there ever since, scoring 18 goals last season and racking up a further 13 goals and 9 assists during his side’s impressive 3rd place finish in the Bundesliga in 2017/18.
The Chronicle report that ‘head of recruitment’ Steve Nickson has watched him several times this season, suggesting he is a player on Rafa’s radar and one to watch this summer:
“Benitez’s head of recruitment Steve Nickson has been paying particular interest to Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim who have just qualified for the Champions League thanks to a glut of goals from former Leicester City man Andrej Kramaric.
“Croatia international Kramaric has been checked out before by Newcastle but after grabbing 16 goals this season he is attracting interest from Bayern Munich, no less.”
One obvious difficulty with this deal is the fact his club have just qualified for the Champions League. They’ll be in a strong position financially as a result (so they’ll be in no rush to sell), and you’d also find it hard to believe he’d leave when he could be playing European football next season.
An interesting link nonetheless. Here’s him in action:
