Union Berlin‘s Marvin Friedrich has emerged as a potential transfer target for Bayer Leverkusen, according to a report by Bild.
The German news outlet claims that the 25-year-old defender is attracting interest from several clubs over a potential summer exit from the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.
Union Berlin’s Marvin Friedrich Linked With Move Away
Interest in Die Eisernen Defender
According to the report, Union Berlin’s Marvin Friedrich is said to have a €7.5 million release clause. The 25-year-old is also out of contract next summer and that could become activated at the end of the season, given his impressive displays for Urs Fischer’s side.
Speaking to Bild about his future, Friedrich said: “I know that I feel very comfortable at Union and that the club gives me a lot.
“But football is also very fast-moving. That’s why you have to see what the future will bring. At the moment I’m trying to concentrate on the here and now. ”
Defender Has Been One of Union Berlin’s Stars in the Bundesliga
Having joined Union Berlin in January 2018, Friedrich has become one of the club’s key players. The 25-year-old played in all 34 league fixtures as Die Eisernen secured promotion to the top flight for the first time in their history.
In that maiden Bundesliga campaign, Friedrich turned out 31 times, missing two games through suspension, as Union recorded a respectable 11th place finish. The defender also added two goals.
This season, his performances have improved further. Friedrich has gone from recieving ten yellow cards and scoring two goals from 34 games in all competitions to two yellows cards and four goals in 28 outings.
On the field, Union are a vast improvement to last season and find themselves just five points off a European qualification spot in seventh place. Die Eisernen have also been a lot more solid in defence. The club conceded 58 times last season from 34 Bundesliga matches while they have allowed just 32 from 26 so far, further highlighting how important the 25-year-old has been.
Uncapped by Germany, Friedrich has done more than enough to earn his first international call up. Whether that will be under outgoing manager Joachim Löw or a future head coach remains to be seen.
Impact on Union
Union may have improved this but the club are yet to lose any key players since their promotion to the Bundesliga. While Fischer still has some solid defensive options, Friedrich is the key man and he will be difficult to replace.
If Friedrich does depart in the summer, it will be interesting to see how Fischer rebuilds his squad in the defender’s absence. Last season, the club opted for top-flight experience with the signing of Neven Subotic, but it was a move that failed to hit the heights.
Potential Leverkusen Departures
Bayer Leverkusen are the only named team to be linked with Friedrich. The future of Jonathan Tar remains uncertain, with links to Leicester City having been mooted, while his defensive partner Edmond Tapsoba has also been linked with a move to the Premier League.
The club will need to reshuffle in the summer following the departure of Peter Bosz, so with several outgoings, the arrival of Friedrich could be a bargain for the European-chasing club.
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