Hamburg admit defeat in De Guzman chase

Hamburger SV have conceded that Villarreal midfielder Jonathan De Guzman is too expensive for them.

The German Bundesliga side are looking for reinforcements following another disappointing season, but they haven’t had a lot of luck with their latest targets.

The Red Shorts did their best to try and sign Dirk Kuyt from Liverpool, but he instead opted for Fenerbahce.

“There were fourteen clubs interested in Kuyt,” Hamburger sporting director Frank Arnesen told Hamburger Morgenpost.

“We were in his top three. He has opted for Fenerbahce in order to play in the Champions League. We couldn’t offer him that.”

The Germans then tried to sign Jonathan De Guzman from Villarreal, but once again failed in their efforts.

“He costs too much money,” Arnesen said. “Villarreal paid €8 million for him one year ago. Now they want to get as much in order to sell.”

The player, who failed to hit the ground running at Villarreal, is determined to leave the club after the Yellow Submarine were relegated to Segunda.

“Playing football in the second division is not an option,” De Guzman told Voetbal International.

De Guzman started his career at Feyenoord and spent five seasons at De Kuyp before leaving for Mallorca on a free transfer.

The Dutchman was sold to Villarreal after spending just one season at Iberostar Estadi, but he never quite managed to prove his worth at El Madrigal.