TBR Football can exclusively reveal that a long list of Premier League clubs have queued up to sign Jonathan Burkardt from Mainz.
Burkardt is turning heads with his displays in the Bundesliga this season, having scored 15 goals in just 21 starts.
After Harry Kane (21) and Patrik Schick, the 24-year-old has scored the joint-most goals in the German top-flight — outscoring the likes of Serhou Guirassy (14), Hugo Ekitike (13), Jamal Musiala (11) and Benjamin Sesko.
Naturally, Burkardt has emerged as one of the hottest properties in German football and clubs in England have taken notice.
Liverpool and Tottenham have been scouting Jonathan Burkardt
Graeme Bailey — TBR Football’s chief correspondent has been informed that Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion have all scouted Jonathan Burkardt.
TBR Football revealed last year that even West Ham United were eyeing Burkardt, who ended up staying put at Mainz.
With the German international turning heads week in and week out, he has emerged as a potential option in the summer transfer window.
Alexander Isak, dubbed as “complete” by Thierry Henry makes Newcastle’s need for a striker far from a priority unless he departs St. James’ Park this summer. But apart from the Magpies, Liverpool, Tottenham, Manchester United and Brighton could all do with a striker and Burkardt’s form shows that he could very well fit the bill for each of these clubs.
Jonathan Burkardt matched 11-year-old goalscoring record this season
Liverpool are ready to sell Darwin Nunez. which explains why they have been doing their homework on Burkardt. Meanwhile, Dominic Solanke has had a stop-start season and in any case, Tottenham would require a number nine to push him for a starting place.
As for Manchester United, Rasmus Hojlund has been criticised while United fear signing Joshua Zirkzee was a mistake and with that being the case, an in-form striker like Burkardt would do them a world of good. The concern for Brighton is Joao Pedro is attracting interest from many clubs and Danny Welbeck is 34.
However, all the aforementioned clubs will be delighted to witness how well Burkardt has fared this term, matching Andre Schurrle (in the 2010/2011 season) and Shinki Okazaki (in the 2013/2014 season) of becoming the first Mainz player to score 15 goals in the Bundesliga in a season.
The feat is especially impressive considering the coveted striker is playing for a Mainz side who finished 13th last campaign but are in now in third place and in the running for Champions League football due to him spearheading them towards a potentially unforgettable season.
