Who is Florian Grillitsch? The Austrian playmaker wanted by Arsenal and Newcastle

FT Desk

Updated: 28 Oct 2022 14:57 BST
8 min read

Hoffenheim midfielder Florian Grillitsch — © ProShots

The German Bundesliga has long been known as a league in which top English sides could find ready-made stars to help them in their quest up the Premier League table.

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One such figure who could be the next import from the German top-flight is none other than Hoffenheim star Florian Grillitsch, whose side are on the cusp of European qualification but could find himself in new surroundings next season.

So how good is the Austria international and which clubs are hoping to snap him up in just a few months time?

What position does Florian Grillitsch play in?

Grillitsch is a central midfielder that can either play as a ball-winning or box-to-box midfielder, as well as a deep-lying playmaker. He can also play as a ball-playing central defender.

How good is Florian Grillitsch?

After coming through Werder Bremen’s youth academy, Grillitsch was introduced to Bundesliga football in 2015 and after two full seasons at the North German side, the midfielder made the move to Hoffenheim on a free transfer.

Since then Grillitsch has made over 140 appearances for Hoffenheim and established himself as a gifted Bundesliga midfielder, who can break up opposing moves just as well as he can begin them for his own side.

In that time the midfielder has also become a regular of the Austria national team and has played in over 30 games for his nation since making his debut in 2017.

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What clubs are interested in Florian Grillitsch?

So far Grillitsch seems to have attracted interest from some of Italy’s biggest clubs thanks to his performances for Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga. There are many clubs wrestling for his signature as a result.

According to a report by Kicker last year, Napoli and Milan were both keen on making a move for the midfielder, but the player’s agent only confirmed contact from the latter. But nothing came of it before the summer window slammed shut.

In recent months, Grillitsch has instead attracted interest from Milan’s cross-city rivals, with CalcioMercato reporting in November that Inter have earmarked the Austrian as an ideal replacement for Marcelo Brozovic.

Naturally, the player’s contract situation has led to numerous reports around the player’s future, with Grillitsch himself admitting back in April that he may be ready to make the step up to a bigger club.

"I don't necessarily want to leave TSG, I have a contract until 2022. But I can imagine taking the next step in my career. I feel ready for that," the Austrian international told Kicker.

In late November the midfielder was linked with a move to Newcastle and Roma, with the Sun suggesting that both clubs were now neck-and-neck in pursuit of Grillitsch's sitgnature.

However, most recently, the Telegraph in England has suggested that Mikel Arteta is interested in adding the midfielder to his ranks at Arsenal next season if they can beat the other interested clubs to the signing.