BRIGHTON are preparing a summer bid for Hoffenheim attacking midfielder Christoph Baumgartner.
The Seagulls managed to keep hold of prized asset Moises Caicedo in January despite a tempting £70m offer from Arsenal.
However, the South Coast outfit are bracing themselves for another transfer window bombardment for their biggest talents.
And SunSport understands Brighton are eyeing up potential replacements – including Austrian international Baumgartner.
The 23-year-old has been linked with numerous Premier League sides in the past, including Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea.
Top clubs in the Bundesliga are also monitoring the player’s situation.
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Brighton are hoping to steal a march on their rivals, having sent scouts to watch him on several occasions already this season.
They are also hoping to be able to offer European football as part of their package, with Roberto De Zerbi’s men just seven points off Liverpool in fifth with five games remaining and two games in hand.
Baumgartner – who has seven goals and six assists in the Bundesliga so far this campaign – has a £26m release clause in his current contract that expires in June 2025.
Hoffenheim are still fighting for survival in the German top flight, and it is believed that clause would be halved should they suffer relegation.
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Baumgartner has made 27 appearances for Austria, scoring eight times – including in a 1-0 victory over Ukraine in the Euro 2020 group stages to send his country to the tournament’s knock-outs for the first time in their history.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
