Hertha BSC was unable to complete the signing of 27-year-old South Korean international Hyun-seok Hong from Mainz, whom the club considered a desired bargain for the midfield. The player, who has 16 caps for his country, could not be released from Mainz. The transfer was seen as particularly desirable as Hong was considered highly suitable for the team, especially following the departure of fellow midfielder Leon Jensen. Hong joined Mainz in August 2024 and his contract is set to expire in June 2028. His current Transfermarkt market value is €2.50m, and Mainz reportedly paid a €4.0 million fee to sign him. Other clubs, including Trabzonspor and Olympique Lyonnais, have also been linked with the player.