Hoeness responds to De Zerbi's claims that Undav will return to Brighton

Sebastian Hoeness remains hopeful of keeping Deniz Undav beyond the summer, despite Brighton & Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi claiming on Thursday that the striker will return to England at the end of his loan spell.

VfB Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeness has responded to Roberto De Zerbi’s claims that Deniz Undav will return to Brighton & Hove Albion when his loan spell in Germany ends at the end of the season.

Both Undav and Stuttgart have expressed hopes of extending their relationship beyond the summer, but Brighton & Hove Albion manager De Zerbi told The Athletic on Thursday that the striker will return to England at the end of the season.

However, when asked about De Zerbi’s comments on Thursday, Hoeness confirmed that he remains hopeful that Undav’s loan move will be made permanent.

“I think that’s relatively clear,” Hoeness told reporters.

“There are no two opinions about it from my side. Deniz is an absolute top player who is having a great season. I have a good relationship with him, he’s an intelligent player who scores and sets up goals.

For a long time, it was estimated that it would cost Stuttgart €13-15 million to sign the striker permanently.

However, according to a recent Sport Bild report, the purchase option for the striker will rise to €20 million if the Swabians, currently sitting third in the Bundesliga, qualify for the Champions League.

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