Serhou Guirassy of Stuttgart is now up for grabs, with Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, and AC Milan competing for his services this summer after Chelsea withdrew from the contest.
In his stellar Bundesliga season, Guirassy, 28, scored 28 goals in 28 games to help Stuttgart clinch Champions League football with a second-place finish behind Bayer Leverkusen. Guirassy joined Stuttgart on a permanent basis a year ago.
Only Harry Kane of Bayern Munich exceeded Guirassy’s total in the top five divisions in Europe the previous season, and a number of elite clubs are on notice due to the forward’s incredible goal-scoring feats.
Guirassy has notified head coach Sebastian Hoeness and sports director Fabian Wohlgemuth of Stuttgart that he is eager for a new challenge come next season, according to Sky Germany.
According to reports, Stuttgart management has “tried everything” to convince Guirassy to stay, but the Guinea international’s contract contains a release clause that would allow him to go for as little as €18–20 million (£15–17 million).
Guirassy has to choose between Dortmund, Milan, and Arsenal, according to the source, while Bayern Munich and Chelsea are no longer “in the running” for his signature.
Guirassy signed a deal with Stuttgart last summer, and it is currently in effect until June 2026.
Last month, in an interview with Sky Germany, Alexander Wehrle, the chairman of Stuttgart, downplayed the mounting rumors over Guirassy’s future, stating that the attacker was “really comfortable.”
Wehrle told Sky Germany, “I already heard in the winter where he is said to have already signed. It was already clear last summer that he was leaving.”
The truth is that he understands what he has in Sebastian Hoeness and the coaching staff, and he feels incredibly at ease and is an undeniable leader for the first time in his career.
He’s now qualified to participate in the Champions League. That is a different debate.
While it seems obvious to many that he is departing, it is not at all evident to me.
“But following the season, we’ll have a seat.”
Although it’s no secret that Chelsea wants to acquire a center-forward this summer, it looks the team has given up on Guirassy in favor of looking at other immediate options.
Samu Omorodion of Atletico Madrid and Jhon Duran of Aston Villa have both been linked recently, as new boss Enzo Maresca is eager to provide competition and assistance for Nicolas Jackson.
After Bayern Munich beat them to a deal for Crystal Palace striker Michael Olise, Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams has also become a target in attack.