Sigurdsson Gets Until June 30th To Decide Future

Hoffenheim have given midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson until the end of the month to decide on his future - with Liverpool strong favourites to complete a move.

Swansea City looked set to sign the highly talented goalscoring midfielder following an influential loan spell last season, but a move was scuppered by manager Brendan Rodgers' move to Liverpool.

It's widely regarded that Sigurdsson sees Rodgers as a big influence on him and he wants to follow him to Merseyside - he was keen to work with him at Swansea City had he stayed.

There have been reports that new Swans boss Michael Laudrup will have one last attempt to lure him to stay at the Liberty Stadium, but the Icelandic youngster has set his sights on a move to the Reds. Apparently, Liverpool have begun talks with the player after having a bid agreed - likely to be more than the £6.8m the Swans settled on with Hoffenheim.

Sigurdsson is expected to complete a move to Liverpool this week.

A Hoffenheim statement read:

'Gylfi Sigurdsson will not be with TSG 1899 Hoffenheim for the start of pre-season,'

'He has, after consultation, obtained a prolonged holiday until 30 June.

'The club wants the 22-year-old to continue to secure a future in the Premier League.'

Hoffenheim's head coach Markus Babbel said:

'Gylfi wants to stay in England and is in negotiations there,'

'Thus it makes no sense for both sides for him to return to Hoffenheim, perhaps only for a few days.

'If, by the deadline on June 30, he has done nothing then he will return to his pre-season with us.

'We have agreed this with him.'

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