Stuttgart striker Serhou Guirassy’s release clause for the January transfer window has expired, in a blow to Premier League clubs.
Guirassy is a transfer target for clubs across Europe after a scintillating start to the season at Stuttgart, with the Guinea forward boasting the best minute-per-goal ratio in Europe’s top five leagues after scoring a stunning 17 times in 12 league starts.
The 27-year-old’s form has fired Stuttgart into contention for Champions League qualification and Guirassy is set to turn down approaches from rivals clubs in favour of finishing the season in Germany.
Manchester United, Newcastle, West Ham and Fulham are among the English clubs linked with a move to sign Guirassy this month, though Sky Germany are reporting that the forward will stay at Stuttgart barring an ‘unexpected crazy offer’.
Guirassy had a release clause of just €17.5m (£15m) in his contract with the Bundesliga side that was active this month, though the date to activate the clause has passed for the January window.
Guirassy set a new Bundesliga record after scoring 13 goals in the first seven games of the season, beating the previous milestone of 11 held by former Bayern Munich frontman Robert Lewandowski.
The forward is currently at the Africa Cup of Nations with Guinea, though missed his nation’s 1-1 draw with Cameroon in their opening fixture of the tournament due to a muscle strain.
