NAC Breda’s Pursuit of a Striker Amid Transfer Developments

NAC Breda has generated considerable buzz this season by signing Lewis Holtby, André Ayew, and Denis Odoi. Just before the close of the transfer window, they were close to adding another experienced German international to their roster.

With the departure of club top scorer Sydney van Hooijdonk, head coach Carl Hoefkens is eager to secure an additional striker. Currently, Charles-Andreas Brym, Moussa Soumano, and the newly signed André Ayew are the available options. However, Soumano and Ayew have yet to find their best physical condition due to limited game time this season. The addition of another forward is crucial for enhancing both the depth and quality of the squad.

In their search for a striker, NAC turned their attention to Germany. The player they targeted was Mergim Berisha, a 27-year-old forward from Hoffenheim. According to various German sources, discussions regarding his transfer were positive. Although Berisha showed interest in moving to Breda, he faced competition from several other clubs, including Sturm Graz from Austria and various German teams keen on acquiring the Hoffenheim reserve striker. Ultimately, Berisha decided to join FC Kaiserslautern in the 2. Bundesliga, where the club did not pay a transfer fee but included a significant sell-on clause.

After Lewis Holtby, Berisha would have been the second former German international to join the Breda roster. In 2023, he made two appearances for Die Mannschaft as a substitute. His career statistics are impressive, featuring goals in the Champions League with RB Salzburg, in the Europa League with Fenerbahçe, and in the Bundesliga with TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. Currently, however, Berisha finds himself sidelined at Hoffenheim after a loan spell at FC Augsburg, where he suffered a thigh injury.