Does he stay or does he go? Conflicting media reports are circulating regarding the future of loan player Cenk Özkacar at 1. FC Köln.
According to “Sky”, last summer’s Bundesliga newcomers have already decided that the 25-year-old Turk has no future in the cathedral city and is returning to FC Valencia.
Özkacar had developed into a regular player under coach René Wagner in recent weeks, but was still unable to convince the decision-makers at 1. FC Köln.
“Sky” wrote that FC was looking for a stronger central defender.
The usually well-informed Cologne “Express”, on the other hand, reported Özkacar’s future at 14th place in the table. of the past season is still open.
According to this, talks are currently ongoing between all parties and “poker” is said to be in full swing. The sticking point is Özkacar’s high salary at FC Valencia, where he is contractually bound until 2028. 1. FC Cologne wants to keep the defender – but not at any price, according to the “Express”.
The cathedral townspeople have a purchase option from Özkacar that is said to be worth two million euros.
Does 1. FC Cologne make a million plus?
According to “Express” it is heard from the club’s environment that the professional could possibly be signed in order to then sell him on for a profit. Its market value is estimated at a good three million euros.
Özkacar’s good performances in the final stretch of the season in Cologne are said to have attracted numerous interested parties. Valencia also allegedly knows that selling him to another club would result in a higher transfer fee for him.
For Özkacar, Valencia transferred at least five million euros to his former club Olympique Lyon in 2023. In the 2024/2025 season he played on loan for Real Valladolid. A year later he moved to 1. FC Köln – which is also (still) temporary.
