Hoffenheim flop Szalai set for loan to Freiburg

Germany’s preeminent footballing publication is currently reporting that SC Freiburg and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim – potentially during their five-goal thriller in the Baden-Württemberg derby today – have worked out a loan deal that will send TSG central defensive flop Atilla Szalai to Breisgau on loan.

The respective front offices of SC Freiburg and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim have, according to Germany’s Kicker Magazine, sewn up a rather significant transaction during their five goal-thriller at the Europa Park Stadion this afternoon. TSG summer addition Attila Szalai – rarely used by TSG trainer Pellegrino Matarazzo this year – will apparently head to Freiburg on loan.

The Hungarian international immediately fell out of favor with Matarazzo after scoring an own-goal on match-day one. The 25-year-old has made only three starts since and is widely considered to be one of the biggest transfer flops of the current season. Freiburg, meanwhile, are looking for some additional assistance in central defense after it was confirmed on Friday that Philipp Lienhart will go under the knife.

A deal would make sense for both sides. Kicker cites its own sources to claim that information initially reported by Sky Germany regrading the loan is correct. Szalai appears set for a six-month-stint. A purchase option built into the deal would make sense from the perspective of both parties as well.

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