Liverpool forward Ryan Babel appears to be on the verge of joining Hoffenheim as a replacement for Demba Ba.
Dutchman a 'first-class' transfer target for Bundesliga side
Liverpool forward Ryan Babel appears to be on the verge of joining Hoffenheim after emerging as one of the Bundesliga club's 'first-class' transfer targets.
Skysports.com understands the Dutchman has yet to agree personal terms at Rhein-Neckar-Arena, but is having a medical ahead of a proposed £7million move.
Quotes attributed to Babel earlier on Tuesday implied that the 24-year-old was desperate for a move back to Ajax after failing to prove a success in almost three years with Liverpool.
But Hoffenheim want the Holland international as a replacement for Stoke target Demba Ba, who has essentially gone on strike as he attempts to secure a move to the Premier League, and cover for Chinedu Obasi's injury.
Hoffenheim's billionaire backer Dietmar Hopp told
BILD: "Thanks to the acts of Demba Ba, and the injury to Chinedu Obasi, we were left in an emergency situation.
"Babel was one of the first-class candidates that team manager Ernst Tanner was most convinced by."
