“A top player”: HSV tried to sign this FCA star in the summer | OneFootball

Last summer, HSV feverishly searched for a playmaker. In the end, Fabio Vieira joined, but there were also serious talks with another player.

The player in question is Fabian Rieder. It is well known that the 23-year-old was at the very top of Hamburger SV’s transfer list last summer. The Swiss international was considered the preferred solution for the Hanseatic club’s creative midfield. But although the talks between both parties were promising, Rieder ultimately chose FC Augsburg. The Bavarian Swabians paid a hefty seven million euros to Ligue 1 club Stade Rennes.

In retrospect, it was a worthwhile transfer: Rieder immediately established himself at the club, which is currently fifteenth in the table, and has impressed as one of the few standout players in an otherwise disappointing offense. Three goals and two assists in eight Bundesliga matches speak for themselves. On Saturday (3:30 p.m., Sky), the HSV coaching team will now have a reunion with their former top target.

Nur die Raute – All the latest HSV news

Rieder’s rejection not a decision against HSV

Especially noteworthy: Despite the rejection, head coach Merlin Polzin has nothing but praise for Rieder. “He didn’t choose us in the summer, even though we had good talks,” Polzin explains. “A great guy, exemplary. And he’s a great player, too.”

Polzin says it wasn’t a decision against HSV, but rather that Augsburg offered the midfielder an overall package that made more sense for him. “I can absolutely understand the decision. Even if I would have made a different one in his place.”

Polzin also emphasized Rieder’s respectful conduct throughout the negotiations. Especially in times of hectic transfer sagas, it was remarkable how clear and personal Rieder was in his communication. “Even the rejection was a good conversation. You can only take your hat off to that,” the 35-year-old made clear. Let’s just hope that Polzin won’t also have to take his hat off to Rieder’s performance on the pitch come early Saturday evening.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.