Burkardt shortly before moving from Mainz to Eintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt's first major transfer is imminent. According to HR, Jonathan Burkardt from 1. FSV Mainz 05 will strengthen the Hesse club's attack.
The waiting period at Eintracht Frankfurt is over. After several uneventful weeks , which feel like years in this football-free period, the first movements are now taking place in the transfer market. Jonathan Burkardt, the desired player of 1. FSV Mainz 05 , is set to move to the Hesse club. Eintracht sporting director Markus Krösche had already reached an agreement with the player for a long time, and now the two clubs have found common ground and reached a solution.
Corresponding reports from Sky and Bild correspond with information from hr-sport. Burkardt, who was born in Darmstadt and is said to have had a special relationship with Eintracht Frankfurt since childhood, will undergo a medical in the coming days and then sign a long-term contract with Eintracht. The 24-year-old, who aims to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in Frankfurt, plays a central role in coach Dino Toppmöller's plans.
Will Burkardt be Ekitiké’s replacement or partner?How much squad planner Krösche will have to pay for Burkardt is not yet known. According to Bild newspaper, the transfer fee is said to be between €23 million and €25 million, while Mainz have reportedly demanded up to €30 million. FSV manager Christian Heidel even said months ago that the best player in Mainz's squad was not for sale.
Whether Burkardt will become a central attacking figure in Frankfurt or a partner to Hugo Ekitiké remains to be seen. A departure for the highly talented and sought-after Frenchman remains likely, but the hunt for the top striker hasn't really picked up steam yet. What is certain, however, is that when Frankfurt resumes training next Wednesday, the two could actually be on the pitch together. Burkardt alongside Ekitiké—there are arguably worse striker duos in the Bundesliga.
sportschau
