According to a report from TEAMtalk, West Ham United are in pole position to complete the signing of Rocco Reitz. The Hammers have managed to leapfrog rivals Fulham in the pursuit of the German youth international.
Reitz has been a part of the Borussia Monchengladbach setup since his childhood days. He went up the ranks at some pace and got promoted to their first-team setup back in 2020. However, he had to wait until the 2023/24 season to have an extended run in their senior side.
It was a breakthrough season for the 23-year-old central midfielder as he was involved in a total of 34 Bundesliga fixtures and ended up contributing towards nine goals. While the youngster struggled with a toe injury last season, he still ended up featuring in 27 league games.
While Reitz prefers playing as a central midfielder, he is equally effective in a defensive as well as an attacking role. He was one of the standout performers for Germany at the recently concluded Under-21 Euro. Meanwhile, the player’s performances over the last 18 months have put him on the radar of quite a few top clubs from across Europe.
In England, Fulham and West Ham United are two clubs that have taken note of his performances and are keen on adding him to their squads. Marco Silva wants more depth and quality in midfield, and Fulham consider Reitz an ideal player to bolster their midfield thanks to his versatility.
While the Cottagers have been working on a potential deal to sign Reitz for some time, West Ham United have leapfrogged them in the race to secure his signature. Graham Potter is also keen on having more quality in the centre of the park and believes the 23-year-old could help them dictate the pace of games.
As a result, the Hammers are ready to prise him away from Borussia Monchengladbach. His current deal runs until 2028, but the Bundesliga club are still more than willing to sell him this summer as there is a €20 million release clause in his contract, which is due to become active next summer.
Gladbach do not want to lose him for a cut-price fee, and with multiple top clubs keen on his signature, they are hoping a transfer tussle will drive up his price. The Bundesliga outfit are determined to make the most out of Reitz’s potential departure.
Both West Ham and Fulham have already made enquiries about the 23-year-old, and the London clubs are expected to soon table an offer. While the Cottagers could still win the race, they are behind the Hammers for now.
