Gylfi Sigurdsson has been given time until the end of this month to secure a deal to Liverpool by his club Hoffenheim.
The 22 year old midfielder created a huge impact during the second half of last edition of the Premier league when he joined Swansea on loan. Sigudrsson looked set to complete his move to Swansea for a club record fee of £6.8m but the departure of their former coach Brendan Rodgers to Liverpool brought the negotiations to a standstill. Apparently, the Icelandic international is now keen on reuniting with Rodgers and Hoffenheim are willing to let him move.
“Gylfi Sigurdsson will not be with TSG 1899 Hoffenheim for the start of pre-season,” said a statement on the club’s website. He has, after consultation, obtained a prolonged holiday until 30 June.
“The club wants the 22-year-old to continue to secure a future in the Premier League.”
It was widely reported that Rodgers wanted to bring Sigurdsson to Liverpool upon his appointment but the reasons why the club hasn’t followed up on his wish raises serious question marks over the extent of control over transfers that Rodgers is going to enjoy at the Merseyside club.
Markus Babbel, former Liverpool player and currently coach of the Bundesliga club, echoed the sentiments of his club but stressed that Sigurdsson won’t be given time beyond 30 June.
“Gylfi wants to stay in England and is in negotiations there,” he said. “Thus it makes no sense for both sides for him to return to Hoffenheim, perhaps only for a few days.
“If, by the deadline on June 30, he has done nothing then he will return to his pre-season with us. We have agreed this with him.