G2 have expressed an interest in signing FaZe star Nikola “⁠NiKo⁠” Kovač, HLTV.org and 1pv.fr can confirm. The two organisations have already opened talks over a permanent deal, which would require one of the biggest transfer fees in Counter-Strike history.

It is currently unclear which G2 player would be leaving the team to make way for the Bosnian, but all signs are pointing towards François “⁠AmaNEk⁠” Delaunay being the likeliest to get the chop if a transfer does take place.

NiKo’s time in FaZe could be coming to an end

NiKo has been on FaZe‘s books since March 2017, when he was recruited from mousesports for a fee in the region of $500,000, according to Dot Esports. His stock has continued to rise while playing under the North American organisation with multiple LAN titles, six MVP medals and top-three finishes in HLTV.org’s 2017 and 2018 player rankings.

His association with Marcelo “⁠coldzera⁠” David — who defeated him in the race for the title of best player of 2017 — left fans drooling, but it has failed to produce the desired results, with FaZe only picking up one title since the Brazilian’s arrival in September 2019, at that year’s BLAST Pro Series Copenhagen event.

The international team have been in poor form since the player break, winning just one out of eight matches after replacing Aurimas “⁠Bymas⁠” Pipiras with Markus “⁠Kjaerbye⁠” Kjærbye. G2 have also hit a rough patch and are out of the race for the playoffs in ESL Pro League Season 12 Europe after losing four matches in a row.

It is understood that the transfer could be finalised in the coming weeks, most likely after the busy month of fixtures that both teams have ahead of them. In G2, NiKo would link up with his cousin Nemanja “⁠huNter-⁠” Kovač, whom he predicted was going to be a star player. “He has the talent to become one of the best players in the world,” the FaZe player said when interviewed for his 2017 top 20 player of the year article.

G2 officials and NiKo declined to comment when contacted by HLTV.org.

Source: https://www.hltv.org/news/30307/g2-line-up-bid-for-niko