Cologne looking for a new central defender. The club found what they were looking for in Genoa. Nevertheless, it will be harder than many think!
Because: While Spain clearer Jorge Meré (24) lands in Mexico today, completes the medical check at CF America and then signs a contract until the summer of 2025, Cologne has already received the first cancellations.
Coach Steffen Baumgart confirms on BILD on TV: “We have good people who always ensure that we remain competitive. The fact that one or the other player has already canceled us and is going somewhere else shows that it is more difficult for us at the moment.
Background: The fat times at FC are finally over after massive corona losses. Like future newcomers, the Meré successor must accept a “mini salary”. According to BILD information, this should be around 720,000 euros per year in the future. Not exactly Bundesliga level. A competitive disadvantage for FC.
For comparison: Meré conceded around 2 million top players like captain Jonas Hector (30) or star striker Anthony Modeste (33) even get over 3 million a year.
Sampdoria clearer Chabot should come
Baumgart confirms: “We are trying to adjust salaries. Of course that doesn’t happen immediately. But that will be adjusted for the players who are supposed to come and stay.”
This makes the battle for newcomers more difficult.
Now Cologne has a giant (1.95 m) on the line with Sampdoria Genoa central defender Julian Chabot (23/contract until 2024). Italian Transfermarkt experts are already reporting on FC interest. According to BILD information, Cologne is currently trying to convince Chabot, who was born in Germany, of a loan change with a purchase option.
It is questionable whether he will accept a mini-salary longer than just until the summer… Therefore, FC still has alternative candidates in mind and must see who is willing to get involved with Cologne under the new conditions.
License player boss Thomas Kessler (35): “We have to make a decision that is good for the club in the long term.”
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