Hoffenheim striker Fisnik Asllani has revealed that he’s fully focused on helping the Bundesliga outfit finish the season strongly despite persistent media speculations linking him with a summer move to Barcelona.
Barcelona are expected to be in the market for a new striker when the summer transfer window opens and Asllani is one of the names that have been repeatedly mooted as a potential target in media circles alongside Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez.
Lending credence to the growing speculations was his agent Ayman Dahmani’s recent confirmation that there had been contact with the reigning La Liga champions over the possibility of a transfer in the near future.
However, in a chat with reporters over the weekend following Hoffenheim’s Bundesliga defeat to Mainz 05, Asllani brushed off talks of a potential summer departure, insisting that his complete focus is on delivering for his current employers on the pitch.
“I can only influence what happens on the pitch. I need to continue performing well, try to help the team, whether that’s with goals, assists, or whatever,” he said, as quoted by SportBILD.
“And regardless of that, I simply need to give my all for the team.
What’s going on around me, I have to be honest, doesn’t interest me. Everyone just talks and talks. As I said, I can only influence what happens on the pitch.”
Despite Asllani’s apparent non-committal disposition at the mention of Barcelona’s interest, it’s difficult to see the 23-year-old striker turning down the chance to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world should a concrete offer arrive.
The Blaugrana, for their part, are continuing to closely monitor Asllani’s situation at Hoffenheim, but there are currently no indications that they will firm up their interest in the Kosovo international as their main target is Alvarez.
What happens with Barcelona’s pursuit of the former Manchester City striker will play a significant role in determining whether the situation involving the Catalan giants and Asllani develops into something more concrete.
At the moment, Atletico Madrid appear to have no intention of parting ways with the Argentine World Cup winner this summer and are expected to stand firm on a valuation of over €100 million to sanction a departure.
