“I need a bit of security,” said star striker Anthony Modeste (33/contract until 2023) 10 days ago on BILD on TV. And: “If nothing comes from FC, then I have to look somehow.”
Now, almost two weeks after the contract announcement, there seems to be movement in poker about Modeste’s future. According to BILD information, his friend and advisor Patrick Mendy is in town.
Is the Modeste Poker starting now?
► At least Mendy will not only be in the Rhineland because of the good weather. He was already at Tony’s side in 2017 during the endless poker for the million change to China. And he now plays an important role again when it comes to exploring Modeste’s summer options within the family before the contract talks already announced by interim sports director Jörg Jakobs (51) begin.
The facts have long been on the table: the scenario that Modeste will start the season in the summer with an expiring contract has been ruled out at the latest since his announcement. Rather, “security” means: either he stays and extends his contract in Cologne for at least another year – or he signs a better-paid and longer-term contract somewhere else.
Mendy had offered his friend and client exactly this opportunity back in the winter. At that time, Modeste could have gone to Saudi club Al Hilal for a transfer fee of around 5 million euros plus a dream salary, but after consulting coach Steffen Baumgart (50) decided for Cologne (BILD reported).
Now the poker starts again. Another Saudi offer for the new season is very likely. So it all depends on what Cologne can offer their top striker despite the current austerity measures and how much Tony’s goals and charisma are worth to FC…
