1. FC Köln wants a striker with Bundesliga experience – Sargis Adamyan should go

Hoping for winter reinforcements

If the pending ruling of the International Court of Arbitration for Sport in the case of Jaka Cuber Potocnik (18) does not thwart 1. FC Köln’s plans, the “billy goats” should receive reinforcements in the winter transfer window. “Of course, at the top of the agenda is to get an additional nine,” said sports director Christian Keller recently in the “double pass”. In the summer, “Effzeh” would have had up to 3 million euros available for new additions, but last-minute attempts like those with BVB talent Youssoufa Moukoko (18) failed. Coach Steffen Baumgart is therefore cautious about January.

“I’ll stop wishing. These wish lists…” said Baumgart (quoted via “Goat blog“) when asked what type of striker he would get, and after the lack of success in the summer, he ended the answer with a laugh. Later he became a little more specific. “If I express a wish,” said Baumgart, “then it should be players who I no longer have to develop, but who have already played in the Bundesliga and might not help at some point.”

The fact that Baumgart spoke in the plural could be understood as an indication that the FC coach secretly doesn’t just want a new signing. The departure of Sargis Adamyan (30) should provide further financial flexibility. The attacker no longer plays a role under Baumgart and was no longer even part of the matchday squad. Loud “PictureAdamyan should leave in the winter, even if a transfer fee seems unlikely despite the contract until 2026. The main thing is to save on salary.

For five match days, the Baumgart team still has to work without reinforcements to polish up the worst use of chances in the Bundesliga. Hopes also rest on Davie Selke (28), who scored three of the only nine goals this season so far. “If he has the self-confidence, he can do it,” said the Cologne coach with a view to the rest of the year. “I imagine that we will get enough points by then. Then we talk about everything and discuss what is possible.”

Alario is indeed a smart signing who has often been a bit overshadowed, especially at SGE where he had to compete with emerging talents like Borré and a phenomenal Kolo Muani. His potentially cheap transfer price makes him an attractive option. Haraguchi also brings valuable experience to the young midfield, is fluent in the German language – an aspect that is of great importance to coach Steffen – and is also familiar with the challenges…

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