Mainz updates: Jenz arrives on loan, Hong set to follow, Skarke and Vallys deals appear unlikely

The loan deal sending VfL Wolfsburg central defender Moritz Jenz down south to FSV Mainz 05 has been completed. The 25-year-old was unveiled by the Pfälzer as a new player on Wednesday evening. Jenz – who also once represented Schalke – moves to his third Bundesliga club in his native country. The ed Berlin-native had never played in Germany before Celtic loaned him to Schalke in the spring of 2023.

Jenz was introduced with much fanfare by his new German club, who referred to him as the team’s new “Wonderwall” on the club’s X social media feed. Mainz sporting director Christian Heidel hailed Jenz as “an experienced and versatile player with leadership potential.” Jenz – who has expressed the desire to represent his country – declared himself delighted at the prospect of earning more playing time under head-coach Bo Henriksen. 

Germany’s preeminent footballing publication, Kicker Magazine, cites its own internal sources to claim that another major Mainz signing is set to be unveiled tomorrow. Twelve-times-capped South Korean international Hyun-Seok Hong will be moving to the club permanently from KAA Gent. The 25-year-old has been, per Kicker, purchased for €4 million. 

Hong is an attacking midfielder very much in the mold of fellow countryman and soon-to-be teammate Jae-Sung Lee. The Taeguk Warrior brings with him some German football experience. He made seven 3. Liga appearances while on loan at SpVgg Unterhaching in the 2018/19 campaign. Hong will fill the void left by the departed Tom Krauß.

Whether or not Heidel and the FSV administrative team will manage to procure direct replacements for recent departures Marco Richter and Brajan Gruda remains to be seen. There were rumors that the Palatinate side were pursuing Danish winger Nicolai Vallys, but Kicker reports that Brøndby have rejected Mainz’s opening bid. Further negotiations may prove difficult. 

Union Berlin are also thought to be considering loaning out winger Tim Skarke once again. Mainz were linked with the 27-year-old, but one of the other interested parties (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim) now seem more likely to land the former Darmstadt and Heidenhei professional. Union might also keep Skarke after he proved his usefulness by registering an an assist for Bo Svennson’s side on opening day.