If Teemu Pukki does not continue in the North American MLS league, KTP announces that it will offer “enough” money for the player.
Kotka’s KTP moved up to the Veikkausliiga in the men’s football premier league next season, and the club management already has a big acquisition in its sights: the one who made the world debut from Kotka Teemu Pukki.
The Finnish striker is currently playing in Minnesota in the North American MLS series and the contract expires next summer. However, the Finn may already be a commodity in the January transfer window.
Puki has been rumored to return to Finland to the Veikkausliiga. He has written on the subject, for example Helsingin Sanomat.
KTP’s director of sports Niko Ikävalko says that he has not been in direct contact with Pukki yet.
– If the contract ends, we will be in touch immediately, Ikävalko tells Urheilu on the phone.
Pukki was in top form at the turn of the 2020s.
The attacker managed to score important goals in Huuhkaj at that time and played in Norwich in England. Pukki scored a total of 22 goals in the Premier League during two seasons. Since then, Pukki has played for Minnesota United in the MLS.
Puki has a big connection to KTP. Pukki started his Veikkausliiga career in the Kotka team in 2006 – almost 20 years ago.
KTP’s Ikävalko says that the club has a “very strong desire” to get Pukki in the team. KTP’s trump card would be love for the home region.
– When it is possible to get Pukki, he is the club’s number one priority. For sure, we can wait with forward decisions, what his situation is.
How would a top scorer have enough money for Pukki?
Pukki currently earns more than three million euros per season in Minnesota. Moving from a big club to KTP, which is promoted to the league, would require a big financial leap from the Kotkala club.
KTP would be ready for that.
– Yes, we would be able to offer Teme a competitive salary. It requires a lot of external funding and work from the club management. We wouldn’t normally have that kind of money to offer.
– I don’t think it will be about money if we get to that point with Teme. Aren’t other things than money important in that?
What would that amount of money be, what would you offer Puki?
– Enough, Ikävalko answers.
If Pukki returns to the Veikkausliiga, HJK, which Pukki represented before leaving for the German Bundesliga, will certainly follow.
HJK’s highest paid players earned around 180,000 euros in the 2022 season, says Iltalehti.
Ikävalko thinks that Pukki might choose HJK instead of KTP, because Pukki’s family lives in Helsinki.
– HJK’s training is a shorter distance than KTP’s training. Can Pukki come to training for 1.5 hours or not? I don’t see any other bigger issues in this matter.
Have you found out what Teemu Puki’s future plans are?
– I won’t comment on that more. I hope we get Teemu Pukki here in the future. Whether it’s from the beginning of the next season, in the middle of the season or sometime.