Back-up behind Paçarada
©IMAGO
Max Finkgräfe is still the most valuable professional at 1. FC Köln, but that will change with the market value update for the 2nd Bundesliga on Thursday. The 20-year-old left-back has lost his regular place and has played just 138 minutes this season. Recently there was talk of advanced discussions with interested clubs, now the “kicker” is bringing VfB Stuttgart into play. Accordingly, the Swabians have him on the list.
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Finkgräfe has been playing for the Cologne professionals since 2023, for whom he has played 28 games (one goal) to date. While he was above Leart Paçarada (30) in the hierarchy last season, the distribution of roles has looked different since coach Gerhard Struber arrived in the summer. The U20 international with a market value of 6 million euros missed the first games of the season due to injury, after which he was on the bench seven times and was used four times.
Now there are increasing rumors that there could be a change of scenery at Finkgräfe – possibly as early as winter. The “Football Transfers” portal recently reported that the trend is towards farewell. This also applies to Tim Lemperle (22), whose contract is expiring and who is expected to be very popular at TSG Hoffenheim in the summer, as well as goalkeeper Jonas Urbig (21), who is currently number two behind Marvin Schwäbe (29). Like Urbig, Finkgräfe has a contract until 2026, which is why a transfer fee would be due. As the “Kicker” speculates, FC would probably not let the winger go at a bargain price.
At VfB, national player Maximilian Mittelstädt (27) is on the left side of defense, behind him Frans Krätzig (21), who is on loan from FC Bayern until the end of the season, rarely plays. Rather, the trained central defender Ramon Hendriks (23) acts as Mittelstädt’s backup. “He’s ahead of Frans,” said VfB coach Sebastian Hoeneß recently. According to media reports, there is an early termination of the loan for Krätzig. Finkgräfe could bring a new dynamic to the back left.