Union Berlin interested in retaining striker Andrej Ilic | OneFootball

Although the Serbian striker was officially given a send off at the club’s final home match, Sport Bild reports that Union Berlin remain interested in keeping OSC Lille loanee Andrej Ilic. The 25-year-old could still play in the Bundesliga next season despite Union deciding against exercising a €5m purchase option in his loan deal.

Ilic thrived under head coach Steffen Baumgart during the second half of the current Bundesliga campaign, scoring five goals in 15 league appearances since the turn of the calendar year. Die Eisernen will need players to fill their attacking ranks next season, particularly with lead goal scorer Benedict Hollerbach being linked with a move elsewhere.

The German tabloid suggests that Union thought the price tag for a permanent purchase to be somewhat high. It was such that Ilic received the customary bouquet of flowers just before kickoff at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei on Saturday. Negotiations with the Ligue 1 outfit nevertheless appear set to continue.

Ilic currently maintains an estimated €2.5m market value. FCU managing director Horst Heldt could grant Ilic a future in Köpenick for a price in that range.

GGFN | Peter Weis