Sturm Graz sporting director Andreas Schicker has confirmed the Austrian Bundesliga squad will hold talks with Arsenal ‘next week’ to discuss the transfer of Mika Biereth.
The 21-year-old left a huge impression on Die Schwoazn since heading for the Merkur Arena on loan this January. Arsenal agreed to let Biereth join Sturm Graz for the rest of the term to further his development. He had started the season on loan to Motherwell and was thriving.
Biereth hit the ground running with a goal and an assist on his Scottish Premiership debut in August against Hibernian. He even scored twice in his next two outings after returning to the pitch in October. The Denmark U21 international had to miss six games due to a knee injury.
Sturm Graz will meet Arsenal to discuss Mika Biereth’s transfer ‘next week’
Motherwell ultimately saw Biereth score six and assist five goals in 14 Premiership games on loan from Arsenal. Yet the Gunners recalled him in January before sending the 6 ft 1 forward to Austria. Biereth went on to bag nine goals in 22 outings in all competitions at Sturm Graz.
Biereth hit five goals in 15 Austrian Bundesliga fixtures along with three in four UEFA Europa Conference League ties and one in three OFB-Cup ties. His form helped Die Schwoazn lift the OFB-Cup and the Bundesliga. They lost to LOSC Lille in the Conference League last 16.
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Now, sporting director Schicker has confirmed that Sturm Graz will meet Arsenal ‘next week’ to discuss Biereth’s permanent transfer. The London-born gem only has a contract with the Gunners to June 2025. And Schicker adored what Biereth offered at the top of their attack.
“Mika’s intense style of play is even more important for us,” Schicker has admitted to Kurier. “He’s always annoying, you can never take your eyes off him. He can contribute something crucial right up to the end.
“Yes, we want to try to sign Mika permanently. There is an appointment with Arsenal next week. Maybe they will quote a price that would be feasible for us. We can push our limits a little higher for a player like that.”
Mika Biereth is still yet to make his senior Arsenal debut
Kurier reports whilst quoting Schicker that Sturm Graz hope Arsenal accept €2m (£1.7m) for Biereth’s permanent transfer. But the Merkur Arena team are prepared to go as high as €3m (£2.5m) to please the Gunners. Die Schwoazn will not feel hard done by in that price range.
But Sturm Graz are not the only club to show interest in Biereth’s transfer from Arsenal this summer. The Evening Standard reported in March that, along with Die Schwoazn loving the idea of keeping the attacker, his fine form this term caught the eye of clubs around Europe.
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Arsenal are not in a great position to fend off interest in the former Fulham prospect, either, given his contract. Biereth left Craven Cottage for Emirates Stadium in 2021 but is still yet to make his senior debut. The Gunners have sent him out on loan three times to date, as well.
Biereth’s only appearances for Arsenal have come at the Under-21 level with 26 outings for 12 goals and five assists. Mikel Arteta has named him as an unused substitute at the senior level in one Premier League game, one FA Cup tie and two EFL Cup ties since January 2022.