Hoffenheim head coach Stephan Lerch has revealed that talks are taking place with Chelsea about a potential transfer involving Mara Alber.

Kicker reported earlier this week that the Blues had made an “offer” for the German youth international but Lerch said that, while discussions are underway, the player remains contracted to the Frauen-Bundesliga side:

“Mara has a contract beyond this season [but] we are in communication.”

Alber has had an impressive start to the season, having scored 4 goals and provided 3 assists in just 9 league appearances for Hoffenheim.

Her performances at international level are also turning heads

Alber has yet to make her debut for Germany’s senior team, but the forward has impressed for the Under 19s, helping them reach the European Championship final last summer.

Her team ultimately ended up losing on penalties to Spain, but her displays clearly caught the attention of the Blues, who have now seemingly stepped up their interest with a formal bid of some kind.

Alber would join a number of other German players at Chelsea

The WSL champions already have three Germans on the club’s books. Sjoeke Nusken, Melanie Leupolz and Ann-Katrin Berger are all part of Emma Hayes’s first team squad.

Undoubtedly, they would be able to help Alber settle in if she were to make the move from Hoffenheim to London next month.

At the moment, there is no indication that a deal is close to being agreed. Lerch did not give too much away in his press conference on Monday but the 18-year-old is clearly a player that the Blues are looking to bring in. It is definitely a transfer story to keep an eye on over the next few weeks ahead of the January transfer window.

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