Thursday, 27th June, 2013
Hannover have admitted defeat in the race to sign Arsenal’s Johan Djourou, with the plaudits and the player almost certainly going to their Bundesliga rivals Hamburg.
Djourou’s future had been hanging in the balance ever since his loan spell at Hannover came to an end this summer, and the two clubs had been locked in battle over the centre-back.
Both teams were keen to take Djourou on a loan spell, but it appears Hamburg have flexed their financial muscle to outplay Hannover and take the 26-year-old on.
Hamburg are understood to be given the option of buying the player on a permanent deal as well, with a medical check understood to be set for Monday.
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Hannover sporting director Dirk Dufner was quoted by Bild as saying: "We are feeling angry and sad. Financially speaking, we went to our limits.
"We cannot and do not want to do economically irrational things. We pushed our limits but HSV could do things we cannot do."
The battle played out almost akin to a football match, when yesterday saw Hamburg sporting director Oliver Kreuzer express his optimism, but with Dufner later revealing his club had begun talks with Arsenal.
It seems Kreuzer has won out, and he was only too keen to break the news himself, telling the Hamburger Morgenpost: "I’m sure this will happen. I assume that by Friday we will have confirmation of how things stand.
"Johan embodies the style we were looking for. He plays the ball up from behind constructively and is fast and strong in the air."
Djourou’s loan stint at Hannover saw him make 14 appearances since moving to the Bundesliga in the January transfer window.
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