Hamburg general manager Frank Arnesen has confirmed that Artjom Rudnevs and Rene Adler are transfer targets for the summer.
Arnesen confirms interest in Adler and Rudnevs
Hamburg general manager Frank Arnesen has confirmed that Artjom Rudnevs and Rene Adler are transfer targets for the summer, but he knows the club must secure Bundesliga survival if they are to have any chance of signing such players.
A run of four straight defeats has left Hamburg in the relegation zone with just seven games of the season remaining, but Arnesen insists he remains committed to the club after arriving last year.
He has no intention of letting Hamburg slip down to the second tier, though, and says that if they can stay up he will do everything to help Thorsten Fink strengthen his squad when the transfer window opens.
Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Adler has been on Arnesen's radar for some time and remains an option for the summer, while Lech Poznan striker Rudnevs is also in his sights.
"We are keen to sign Artjom Rudnevs and Rene Adler for life in Bundesliga 1," Arnesen told
kicker-Sportmagazin.
"Both also want to sign for Bundesliga 1. It is pretty clear we would be out of the funds to sign those players if we are in Bundesliga 2."
Underestimated
Arnesen admits complacency may have crept in at Hamburg earlier in the season when they were more comfortable in mid-table, but he will not walk away from the club if they go down.
"I am on a contract until June 2013, and this deal is also a deal for Bundesliga 2," said Arnesen, who previously worked as sporting director at Chelsea until last season.
"We have all underestimated the whole situation. Not just the players, but me too.
"We maybe stepped off the gas a bit too much in mid-season."
