The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath has reported that Brentford have held talks over a potential deal for Schalke forward Matthew Hoppe, and want to bring the player in before the summer transfer deadline arrives on August 31.
#BrentfordFC have held talks over deal for #Schalke forward Matthew Hoppe, other clubs also considering #USMNT player who has €8m valuation
— Mike McGrath (@mcgrathmike) August 26, 2021
Schalke Forward Matthew Hoppe Wanted by Brentford
US International Likely to Leave
Brentford appear to be in pole position to land Matthew Hoppe after holding talks with Schalke over an €8 million deal. The forward is likely to leave the club after they were relegated to the second division of German football after three decades at the end of last season.
The relegation has added to the club’s financial worries and, therefore, it may be possible for a cut price deal to be negotiated for the United States international striker.
Young Talent
Last season saw Hoppe grab six goals in 22 appearances in the Bundesliga where he caught the eye of several of Europe’s top scouts. Schalke’s relegation has merely accelerated the potential departure of a player, who started his career via the residency academy programme at Barcelona based in the USA.
The six goals that Hoppe scored made him the club’s top scorer last season. His goals included a superb hat-trick against Hoffenheim in January 2021, which was a highlight in a very dark season for Schalke. Any player scoring a hat-trick in a top league has undoubted talent at their disposal.
Hoppe has pace and is good at holding the ball up as well as being versatile in the air at just over six feet tall and would give Brentford additional options up front as they look to build on a positive start to life in England’s top division. Together with last season’s Championship Golden Boot winner, Ivan Toney, Hoppe can form one of the deadliest partnerships in the bottom half of the Premier League this season.
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