Fortuna Dusseldorf are struggling to find the cash to activate Christos Tzolis' buy option from Norwich City, their sporting director has admitted. 

Tzolis has had a storming season in Bundesliga Two so far and is generating strong interest ahead of a likely Carrow Road exit this summer. 

The Greek international has recorded 22 goal contributions in 23 league matches with only Hamburg's Robert Glatzel netting more goals in the entire division.

Norwich and Fortuna had negotiated a buy option into the loan agreement that took Tzolis to western Germany, but with promotion to the Bundesliga looking increasingly unlikely and that expiring in May, there is doubt about whether they will activate it. 

Sporting director Klaus Allofs has revealed that the finances may become impossible for Fortuna to activate the clause to keep him at the Merkur-Spiel Arena. 

"If you look at the situation very objectively, we don’t have the money. We will still keep our eyes open and are already having discussions with Christos and his advisor to find a solution," Allofs told Bild. 

“We definitely want him to stay,” Allofs continues, “of course a few things have to come together, but we haven’t given up yet.”

That news has caused worry among the Fortuna fanbase, who are desperate to see the Greek winger remain in Dusseldorf beyond the remainder of the season. 

As Allofs words have been released, desperate measures to help have been taken, with supporters setting up a crowdfunding page to help pay towards the buy option. 

The Pink Un: Christos Tzolis joined Fortuna Dusseldorf on loan last summer.Christos Tzolis joined Fortuna Dusseldorf on loan last summer. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

So far, Fortuna fans have raised over €17,000 of their €5million target and Michael Litwak, organiser of the fundraiser, has explained why it was created. 

"It was actually just intended as a gag. I didn't expect the campaign to go so viral," crowdfunding creator Litwak said. 

"Cracking the 5 million mark is of course very optimistic and normally not achievable - but it's still an opportunity the opportunity to collect money for a good cause and, ideally, perhaps to give the club a little financial help.

"I also see the fundraising campaign as a nice way to encourage the fans to get behind our team so that we can end the season with maximum success."