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Leverkusen coy over Soldado to replace Drmic reports

Bayer Leverkusen squad manager Jonas Boldt has neither confirmed nor denied rumours that Tottenham Hotspur's Roberto Soldado is being lined up as a replacement for Josip Drmic.

Drmic signed for Leverkusen from Nurnberg last summer but has struggled for form since the switch, playing 292 Bundesliga minutes and scoring three goals.

Recent speculation has claimed the Switzerland international could be moved on to Hamburg, and Spurs striker Soldado has subsequently been mooted by Sport Bild as his successor.

Speaking to kicker, Boldt said: "There are of course interesting players, and also players we consider. But right now it's about making sure we keep Josip Drmic in the squad."

In quotes reported by Hamburger Morgenpost, Bayer CEO Michael Schade seemed to suggest that Leverkusen could consider selling Drmic if they find a replacement.

He said: "We'd be crazy to go in to the second half of the season with only one striker [Stefan Kiessling], while we are still in three competitions.

"Josip Drmic will play the Ruckrunde [the second half of the Bundesliga season] at Leverkusen as things stand now."

Meanwhile, the Daily Telegraph has reported that Spurs are aware of Leverkusen's interest in Soldado, but will not allow the former Valencia attacker a winter move without anyone else coming in.