Georgian-born German Akaki Gogia, signed by Brentford from German 3.Liga side Hallescher FC in the summer of 2015 has been on loan back at 2.Bundeliga side Dynamo Dresden since the start of this season.
Gogia arrived as a Brentford player in an unsuspected transfer at the opening of the summer 2015 transfer window, arriving at Griffin Park with rumours that he’d been purchased using the analytics model that some say drive Brentford’s recruitment policy.
Picked from the German third-tier, Gogia struggled for game time at Brentford in his first season of English football – making only 13 appearances over a season where injury and not making the matchday squad blighted his chances. He only managed 488 minutes on football for Brentford last season, and with chances limited this season found himself loaned to second tier German side Dynamo Dresden.
For Dresden he scored seven goals in a 15 game stretch before a ruptured syndesmotic ligament saw him miss nine game – before returning for the last three rounds of football, where he is yet to get hi name on the scoresheet.
However, this hasn’t stopped admirers from making advances according to German publication BILD who say that Union Berlin, who are striving for promotion, and that the “Köpenickers are keen on Dresden’s Akaki Gogia,” and that the negotiations “are well advanced according to BILD sources.”
BILD say that the contract situation it a little muddled, preventing Union Berlin a clear run at Gogia as Dresden have a purchase option of around €700,000 (£594,000), but do say that Gogia “must also want to stay in Dresden.”
BILD go on to say that Union Berlin are ready to offer the player a “three-year contract,” and up to a “€40,000 (£38,000) monthly salary.” However, the promotion hopefuls are said to be in for a fight with Dresden for Gogia’s signature with Dresden Sporting Manager Ralf Minge saying that talks are already underway with Brentford regarding the Georgia-born German attacking midfielder.
