Kasper Dolberg closing in on loan move to Hoffenheim this winter after poor Sevilla stint

On-loan Sevilla striker Kasper Dolberg is close to joining TSG Hoffenheim in the January transfer window, according to Florian Plettenberg.

Hoffenheim are closing in on a loan deal for Dolberg with an option-to-buy clause from his parent club, Nice. Talks between both parties have been positive. 

The Danish international striker is currently on loan at Sevilla from Nice, but his spell in Spain has been disappointing. He is ready to switch to Germany as early as this winter.

Dolberg has only made eight appearances for the Andalusians since joining them on loan last summer. 

The 25-year-old has struggled to live up to expectations. Scouts considered him one of the top striking talents in Europe when he was a teenager.

Ajax signed a then 17-year-old Dolberg from Silkeborg IF on a three-year deal in 2015.

Dolberg scored his first goal in European competition on his competitive debut for Ajax in July 2016 in a Champions League qualification match against Greek club PAOK.

He made his Eredivisie debut weeks later. He was talented and in the right environment to develop. The Amsterdam club extended his contract until 2021.

During the 2016/17 season, he bagged 23 goals and eight assists in 43 appearances. However, he failed to push on the next campaign, scoring only nine and assisting three in 30 games.

He scored 12 and assisted six during the following season. Nice came calling for Dolberg that summer and snagged him for €20.5 million.

Dolberg finished his debut campaign in France with 12 goals and five assists and received the award for Nice’s Player of the Year.

Two mediocre seasons followed before he joined Sevilla on loan last summer. But neither Julen Lopetegui nor Jorge Sampaoli have trusted him to lead the line.

Dolberg may get another chance this season in Germany if a move to Hoffenheim materialises.

Die Kraichgauer are in the market for replacements for Ihlas Bebou and Mu’nas Dabbur. Both men are currently out of action until further notice.

The pair won’t be fit when the Bundesliga returns in January, and Andre Breitenreiter wants some striking cover from the transfer market.