Dreaming is allowed

Sturm are quietly and secretly working on a Hammer deal!

Mika Biereth (right) came, saw and scored. The Arsenal loanee is a direct hit for Sturm.

(Bild: Sepp Pail)

Mika Biereth has been in Graz since mid-January and the striker has won the hearts of Sturm fans. In his very first game, he was already celebrating, and the 21-year-old now has eight goals after eleven competitive matches! An impressive scoring rate that is making headlines across Europe.

When Sturm negotiated with Arsenal over Mika Biereth's loan until the summer, Andreas Schicker tried to include a purchase option in the contract. However, the traditional club turned the head of sport down. Now Sturm is apparently starting a new attempt. Media close to the London club got wind of this and reported via Twitter: "Sturm want to sign Biereth permanently in the summer! But his good form will also have attracted the attention of other clubs."

Mika's contract at Arsenal expires in 2025. It won't get any easier, we have our limits.

Sturms Sportchef Andreas Schicker

Schicker does not dismiss the reports from the island: "We are in constant contact and talks with Arsenal and Mika's manager," explains the sporting director, who will also receive a visit from London.

Last transfer year
A permanent signing for Biereth would be the sporting director's next big transfer. But Schicker knows: "Mika's contract with Arsenal expires in 2025. That won't make it any easier, we have our limits." The striker blossomed in the Ilzer squad and feels right at home.

His avalanche of goals also caused his market value to soar: As recently as December, transfermark.at had put a price tag of 650,000 euros on the Dane; he now costs three million! Nevertheless: Schicker is trying his luck!

Otar Kiteishvili (right) can play his way into the display at the European Championship.

(Bild: AFP)

Biereth's future is just as open as that of Otar Kiteishvili, who celebrated his European Championship ticket with Georgia on Tuesday night after a thriller against Greece and can play his way into the line-up at the finals this summer. Good for him, bad for Sturm. Further talks with the midfielder regarding a contract extension are still pending, but the sporting director will not set a deadline for the 28-year-old. Schicker emphasizes: "But I won't wait until July for the decision."