1. FC Köln will lose another homegrown player in the summer of 2024. Noah Katterbach’s departure is certain. Meanwhile, Justin Diehl’s future is still open.
It’s just a question of when. Noah Katterbach will leave 1. FC Köln in summer 2024 at the latest. The 22-year-old went through all of the Billy Goats’ youth teams, but wants to take a new path after his contract ends. The contract ends on June 30, 2024.
“Noah told us that he will be pursuing a new challenge starting in the summer,” Thomas Kessler told the Geissblog on Tuesday. The licensed player manager just couldn’t say when the separation would take place. A transfer in January would be in the interest of the billy goats.
The problem of the old contract
Because Katterbach no longer plays a role in sport under the new coach Timo Schultz. The 46-year-old left the left-back out of the squad against 1. FC Heidenheim last Saturday, although there was only one left-back available, Max Finkgräfe, and Leart Pacarada was missing. As soon as Pacarada is fit again, Katterbach would only be number three left-back.
However, as one of the top earners in the squad. Katterbach earns well over 1.5 million euros a year and is still sitting on an old contract that FC gave him when the billy goats had to fear losing Katterbach after Florian Wirtz. At that time, FC Schalke 04 in particular was vying for the top talent. Today, the people of Cologne would like to use the money differently, and so they will go their separate ways by summer 2024 at the latest.
FC could save Katterbach salary
Katterbach has been courted by HSV for a long time, where the 22-year-old was on loan last season. If the player is prepared to make financial losses, a change would be conceivable as early as winter. The FC could then save a significant part of the remaining salary (approx. 800,000 euros). A great incentive for the billy goats, who have to continue to push ahead with the renovation of the club.
While one talent is certain to be secured, the billy goats are still fighting for another: Justin Diehl should definitely stay at 1. FC Köln, but the 19-year-old is waiting. VfB Stuttgart really wants him and talks have already taken place. However, nothing has been decided yet. The Swabians hope that FC will too – a good negotiating position for Diehl.
The difference between Diehl and Katterbach
FC has now promoted the striker back to the professionals. Due to the new injuries (Uth, Waldschmidt, Selke), the homegrown team can hope to play regularly in the coming weeks. The people of Cologne hope that this will bind the player to the club. On the other hand, the players know that every effort is likely to increase the desire of other clubs.
At least one thing is good for FC: According to reports, Diehl hasn’t made a decision yet. His contract, like Katterbach’s, expires on June 30, 2024. The Billy Goats are ready to stretch financially for the youngster. But for that to happen, Diehl would have to be willing to talk. Katterbach was no longer that, but FC was no longer interested either. It’s different with Diehl. And so hot weeks of negotiations lie ahead.