Chelsea and Man Utd suffer setback in World Cup winner pursuit - Romano

Tom Weber

• Updated: 16 Feb 2024 17:26 GMT
• 3 min read

U17 World Cup winner Max Moerstedt is set to sign a new contract at Hoffenheim, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The youngster starred for Germany in the U17 World Cup in Indonesia late last year, notching four goals in six games for the eventual winners. A towering centre-forward, the 6'4" (194 cm) teenager is one of his country's great hopes in the number nine department.

Moerstedt, who turned 18 last month, is yet to make his senior debut for Hoffenheim, but he has been in stunning form at the youth level, notching 20 goals and four assists in 14 games for the club's U19s this term. It appears to be only a matter of time before the striker makes his bow for Pellegrino Matarazzo's first team, with the American showing himself more than willing to give youth a chance.

Max Beier has been Hoffenheim's breakout star this term, while teenagers Umut Tohumcu and Tom Bischoff have also seen minutes in competitive senior games. Tohumcu has now been rewarded with a new contract and Moerstedt will follow suit, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Moerstedt to pen new deal

The transfer expert has revealed that Hoffenheim are close to getting Moerstedt to agree on a new deal, just eight months after the 17-year-old signed his first professional contract.

Having seen the success of Beier, who has been linked with clubs such as Liverpool and Brentford and could very likely depart in the summer, Hoffenheim are moving swiftly to improve Moerstedt's terms in a bid to fend off high-profile interest or to potentially squeeze as much money as possible out of an eventual transfer.

Indeed, Man Utd and Chelsea were said to be among the clubs already interested in the youngster back in December despite the fact that he has not yet made his senior bow.