Hoffenheim playmaker Christoph Baumgartner has asserted that he intends to stay put at the German club next season amid speculation that Liverpool are interested in signing him this summer.
Reports from Goal state Baumgartner committing his near future in the Hoffenheim colours with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool being challenged by arch-rivals Manchester United in the race to make a move for the 21-year-old.
“My clear plan is to play for Hoffenheim next season,” Baumgartner said.
“I definitely extended my contract in March with the intention to play here next season,” he added, in reference to the four-year extension through 2025 he penned earlier this year.
“I believe I have the biggest opportunity to develop further here. For me, that means playing consistently at a high level with more room for improvement.”
Baumgartner enjoyed a superb UEFA European Championships campaign with Austria which added to the clubs intensifying their interest in landing his signature before the summer transfer window shuts down.
Liverpool have been backed by pundits to use the market to bring in a new midfield name in light of Gini Wijnaldum’s Anfield exit for Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain who have signed the Dutchman on a three-year-long agreement.
The Reds have been linked with a host of top players across the continent with Brighton’s Yves Bissouma and Baumgartner’s fellow Bundesliga talent Florian Neuhaus gaining attention from Klopp.
