VfL Wolfsburg would like to part with several players by the end of the transfer deadline on September 1st.
“We have a big squad, too big a squad. We have to reduce it,” said coach Niko Kovac on Saturday after the 4-0 win in the last friendly of the pre-season against English Premier League club FC Brentford.
“I have to have conversations that are not fun for a person or a coach. These are the worst conversations you have to have,” the Bundesliga club coach continued. “But I also have to tell the players what’s going on. I could also remain silent – but that’s no use. I have to tell the players what might be better for them.”
A week before the DFB Cup game at FC Carl Zeiss Jena (Saturday, 6 p.m. / Sky), 35 players belong to the Wolfsburg professional squad. Another central defender is to come.
Renato Steffen, Elvis Rexhbecaj, Jerome Roussillon and Marin Pongracic, who was recently absent due to illness, are the first candidates for a change. All of them were not called up for the Brentford game. Kevin Mbabu faces a transfer to Fulham FC. Josip Brekalo and Josuha Guilavogui, who were loaned out last season, should also look to other clubs.
Omar Marmoush, who has returned from VfB Stuttgart, is being courted by friendly opponent Brentford of all people. Kovac would like to keep the Egyptian as well as the striker Bartosz Bialek. “I’m not wasting a thought on loaning the 20-year-old Pole,” said Kovac. “I’m glad we have him.”