With Giant-Alpecin not opening contract talks with star rider John Degenkolb for another few weeks, Trek-Segafredo are reportedly very keen to sign the two-time Monument winner as Fabian Cancellara’s replacement.

After he was severely injured in a preseason crash, only returning to racing earlier this month, his current team were keen to assess Degenkolb’s level before offering him a new deal. This delay, according to Cyclingnews, has provided teams with the opportunity to swoop in and Degenkolb, according to one strong source, is set to ride in Trek colours next season. 

"We are in the market and it is a complex year,” Trek Segafredo’s manager Luca Guercilena told Cyclingnews when asked about the likehood of signing the sprinter. “We are open to many solutions and not one in particular. We will not make any further comment until the 1st of August when contracts must be delivered to the UCI."

Giant-Alpecin’s manager Iwan Spekenbrink said that his team will continue to strengthen for 2017. He confirmed the team is keen to keep Degenkolb.

“We will strengthen our team for next year with good riders. At the same time some contracts at our end run to the end of this year and on the one hand we’re considering dialogues with riders to continue,” Spekenbrink told Cyclingnews.

“John is one of those riders who has a contract that ends this year. First we wanted to see how he was recovering and we have clear picture and we’ll pick up the conversation with him.”

However, Spekenbrink admitted, “at the same time riders can choose to go and sign for other teams. That happens, that’s life. I’m not aware of him signing with another team though.”