Aston Villa are interested in a move for Hoffenheim forward Maximilian Beier who is currently representing Germany at Euro 2024.
Aston Villa are said to have ‘concrete interest’ in Maximilian Beier as an alternative to – or even potential partner to – Ollie Watkins.
However, Chelsea are also credited with interest which could make it more difficult to secure the 21-year-old’s services.
Villa already know how much the striker would cost given Beier has a release clause of £27 million at Hoffenheim, so it will be a case of Unai Emery and Monchi convincing him Villa Park is the right destination.
With an impressive goal record at such a young age it is clear to see why Beier has piqued Villa’s interest and here is everything you need to know about the Bundesliga attacker.
Maximilian Beier career so far
Beier is now a full Germany international at 21, living the dream of representing his country at a home Euros.
However, it all started for the forward at Energie Cottbus before he made the move to Hoffenheim as a 15-year-old.
It was not long before he displaced current Borussia Dortmund defender Niklas Sule as the youngest player to ever make their Bundesliga debut for Hoffenheim aged just 17.
Having signed his first professional contract at the German club in 2020, Beier scored his first goals for the club when he netted a Europa League double against Gent early in the 2020/21 season.
Despite this brace, opportunities proved hard to come by as Beier made just three Bundesliga appearances and was subsequently allowed to join Bundesliga 2 side Hannover on loan for the following two campaigns.
It was here that the German really came into his own, the regular game time aiding his development as he scored 15 and assisted seven in 68 appearances before the age of 21.
This season, Hoffenheim saw fit to make Beier a feature of their side and reaped the rewards as he scored 16 and assisted three in 33 league appearances; his form more than deserving of the Euros call-up he received.
What they say about Maximilian Beier
Bundesliga official website: ‘Plays a bit like: Thomas Muller.
His physicality mirroring that of Müller’s lithe frame, Beier makes up for a lack of muscle with an in-game intelligence that might one day match that of the great Bayern Munich Raumdeuter [space invader].
Hoffenheim’s nimble forward has an uncanny ability to find himself in the right place at the right time and as well as managing to score tidy goals under pressure, is also unselfish when it comes time to assist a better-placed teammate.’
Former Germany striker Miroslav Klose: “I played against him in my first years as FC Bayern’s U17 coach and his qualities were immediately apparent. He runs an incredible amount, works for the team and rewards himself with goals. I’m sure Julian Nagelsmann has him on his radar.“
Maximilian Beier player profile
- Full name: Maximilian Beier
- Age: 21
- Height: 1.85m (6ft 1in)
- Nationality: German
- Date of birth: 17th October 2002
- Place of birth: Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
- Position: Centre-forward
- Club: Hoffenheim (Italy)
Maximilian Beier to Aston Villa analysis
With the only current alternative to Watkins up front in the Villa squad being Jhon Duran – who is expected to join Chelsea this summer – Emery is likely to need a striker.
Beier is just a year older than Duran but will be significantly cheaper than the £40 million Villa look set to receive from the Colombian’s sale.
Add to that he has already proven himself capable of stepping up to provide regular goals now rather than simply being a future prospect and you can see why a deal could appeal.
A willing runner who works very hard for his team, it is easy to see the similarities to Watkins and Beier perhaps represents a more like-for-like alternative than Duran whose skillset is more centred around power.
According to football data website FBREF, Beier ranks in the top 14% of strikers in Europe’s top five leagues for non-penalty goals (0.6 per 90 minutes) and the top 26% for shots per 90 with an average of 3.05.
The Hoffenheim man also ranks in the top 25% for progressive carries, successful take-ons and progressive passes received, showing just how useful he can be when running with the ball and finding pockets of space to receive a pass.
If Villa can replace Duran with Beier they may just be getting an upgrade for a fraction of the price.
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