The winter transfer period for the 2023/2024 season in Europe’s top leagues ends on Thursday – so the Bundesliga clubs don’t have much time left before the deadline. What else is happening at FC Bayern, BVB, Eintracht Frankfurt and Co.? Will FC Schalke 04 also be active again in the 2nd league? Everything important in the ticker at sport.de!
+++ January 30th, 7:28 p.m.: BVB rejects next Ajax offer +++
The transfer poker surrounding young striker Julian Rijkhoff has been going on for days now. BVB is basically ready to sell the 19-year-old back to Ajax Amsterdam. However, there is still no agreement on the transfer modalities two days before the transfer window closes.
As the Dutch newspaper “Telegraaf” reported, the Dortmunders also rejected the most recent offer from Amsterdam. This is said to have amounted to 1.5 million euros for the striker, who has not yet made a single professional appearance for BVB. It is still uncertain whether Ajax will go the extra mile for Rijkhoff again.
+++ January 30th, 6:41 p.m.: Hertha is keen on youngsters from the Gunners +++
Hertha BSC wants to strengthen itself if possible for the second half of the season in the 2nd Bundesliga. According to a recent “Bild” report, the capital club could now have found what they are looking for at Arsenal FC. 19-year-old Bradley Ibrahim is under contract there, but has not yet played in the Premier League for the Londoners. It is also said that the youngster is already in Berlin for specific discussions.
+++ January 30th, 5:11 p.m.: Consultant explains Neuhaus plans +++
There has been wild speculation about Florian Neuhaus’ future at Borussia Mönchengladbach for days – now his player agent has put a stop to the transfer rumors. “It is clear for Florian that he will not leave the club,” said Christian Nerlinger on “Sky” on Tuesday. With his contract extension in the summer, Neuhaus made a clear commitment to the club and “has now emphatically confirmed that again.”
Nerlinger emphasized that there were “some inquiries” for the midfielder in January: “We spoke openly and fairly with Borussia Mönchengladbach at all times.” According to media reports, league rivals VfB Stuttgart, among others, have expressed interest, as have clubs from other European countries.
The 26-year-old former international has been playing for the Foals since 2017 and is tied to them until June 2027. After the departure of numerous top performers last summer, Neuhaus was supposed to take on a leadership role and, with Julian Weigl, was promoted to deputy to captain Jonas Omlin. Despite three goals in 16 league games, Neuhaus often fell short of the demands and coach Gerardo Seoane often only brought him on as a substitute.
+++ January 30th, 3:55 p.m.: Reyna traded as an “attractive option” in Spain +++
Speculation about Giovanni Reyna’s departure from Borussia Dortmund continues. In addition to Nottingham Forest from England and Olympique Marseille from France, two clubs from the Iberian Peninsula are now said to be interested in the US international. According to the Spanish source “fichajes.net”, Benfica from Portugal and Sevilla FC from Spain are also said to be interested in Reyna.
Especially at Sevilla, the 21-year-old is being brought into play as a potential successor to Ivan Rakitic and was described as an “attractive option” in the Spanish source. Concrete negotiations between the parties are expected in the coming days up to Deadline Day on Thursday.
+++ January 30th, 2:57 p.m.: U-turn at Krätzig? +++
For a long time, a loan from Frans Krätzig was considered likely, but now a turnaround is in the offing at FC Bayern.
According to Sky, the full-back is expected to stay on Säbener Straße. The 21-year-old has been looking into a temporary move, but there are currently no more concrete discussions taking place.
Krätzig could therefore stay in Munich until the end of the season and make a new decision in the summer, the TV station reports.
+++ January 30th, 2:21 p.m.: Ex-Schalker in the desert +++
While some are already returning to Europe from the desert, former Schalke player Ivan Rakitic is now heading there. The 106-time Croatian international and 2018 runner-up is leaving the struggling Europa League winner FC Sevilla and moving to Pro League club Al-Shabab in Saudi Arabia with immediate effect. That is now certain.
At Al-Shabab, Rakitic is trained by his Croatian compatriot Igor Biscan. He will also meet a well-known midfield colleague there in the Belgian Yannick Carrasco, who moved from Atlético Madrid to Saudi Arabia last summer.
Rakitic was active at FC Schalke 04 from summer 2007 to the beginning of 2011. 16 goals and 29 assists in 135 games were recorded from this time.
+++ January 30th, 1:43 p.m.: Eintracht Frankfurt before transfer coup +++
Eintracht Frankfurt are apparently doing their best and signing Hugo Ekitike from Paris Saint-Germain. As the “Evening Standard” reports, the Hessians have been successful with what is now their third offer for the PSG attacker.
The 21-year-old center forward, who is currently out of the Ligue 1 club, is reportedly set to move to SGE on loan. In the summer there could be a purchase option for the Frenchman, who was trained in Stade Reims’ youth ranks.
According to information from “Sky”, Ekitike is giving up a lot of salary for his move to the Bundesliga club. Accordingly, he will “only” collect three million euros in Frankfurt and no longer seven million euros like at PSG.
+++ January 30th, 12:52 p.m.: The first clubs are knocking on Xavi +++
Just a few days after announcing his resignation from FC Barcelona, two clubs approached the former world-class player Xavi. This is what “El Nacional” reports. Accordingly, Xavi’s former Qatari club Al Sadd, among others, approached him and made him an offer to return. He is also said to have received an offer from an unnamed Saudi club.
+++ January 30th, 12:46 p.m.: England talent in the focus of FC Bayern +++
Jarrad Branthwaite is one of the main players in Everton FC’s central defense. It’s no wonder that numerous top clubs have long since become aware of the 21-year-old Englishman, who stands 1.95 meters tall. According to transfer expert Ekrem Konur, FC Bayern should also be among the interested clubs.
But the Munich team are probably not the only Bundesliga team that has put out feelers. The “inews” portal reported in December that BVB was in line for Branthwaite. It was said at the time that Everton had slapped a monstrous £100m price tag on the defender. The England U21 international’s contract runs until 2027.
+++ January 30th, 12:23 p.m.: Bayer denies rumors about a three-time CL winner +++
Recently, rumors were circulating that Bayer Leverkusen could sign a three-time Champions League winner in the winter, as “Sky” reported that the Werkself officials were pursuing Marco Asensio from Paris Saint-Germain.
It was said that the former Real star was dissatisfied at PSG and could therefore join the Bundesliga leaders.
But nothing will come of this spectacular change, as Bayer itself has now issued an official and clear denial.
“There is absolutely nothing to it,” said sports director Simon Rolfes to “kicker” about the rumors about Asensio.
+++ January 30th, 11:12 a.m.: This is how expensive Wolfsburg’s new striker will be +++
After only two wins from the last 13 Bundesliga games, VfL Wolfsburg definitely wants to upgrade their attack in the winter. According to various media reports, the desired center forward has already been found in Kevin Behrens from Union Berlin. The 32-year-old national player should travel to the Autostadt shortly to complete the medical check.
However, the wolves’ “panic purchase” probably won’t be cheap. According to “Bild” information, VfL will probably have to transfer at least five million euros to the Berliners in order to release the attacker, who is tied until the summer of 2025 and was called up for the DFB team for the first time last October.
Behrens has four goals this season in 18 league appearances.
+++ January 30th, 9:43 a.m.: FC Bayern makes a fundamental decision +++
On Monday, rumors began to spread that FC Bayern was among a few clubs that had their eye on Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey. It was unclear whether an advance should take place in the winter. Now a decision is said to have been made in Munich.
Transfer insider Ekrem Konur claims to have learned that the German record champions are not planning to make an offer for the 22-year-old midfielder until the summer of 2024. The same applies to Arsenal FC, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United.
+++ January 30th, 9:24 a.m.: HSV grabs left-back
HSV has signed Noah Katterbach from 1. FC Köln. As “Sky” reports, the left-back has signed a contract with the Rothosen until 2027. Katterbach is scheduled to complete the medical check in Hamburg today. The 27-year-old’s contract in Cologne will therefore be terminated, he will immediately move to HSV and will be eligible to play immediately.
+++ January 30th, 8:01 a.m.: Confusion about Bayer’s interest in ex-Real star +++
Is a former Real Madrid star moving to the Bundesliga? According to information from “Sky”, league leaders Bayer Leverkusen are targeting Marco Asensio. The three-time Champions League winner has only been playing for Paris Saint-Germain since last summer, but after little playing time he is apparently willing to change.
According to the TV station, initial discussions about and with Asensio have already taken place, but the deal is “difficult to implement.” However, “Sky” suspects that something could happen in the last few meters of the transfer phase.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported differently on Tuesday. According to Romano, PSG does not want to let go of Asensio in the coming days. Rather, it is assumed that the attacker will remain in Paris. Asensio’s contract with PSG runs until 2026, so a move to the Werkself would probably have been on a loan basis anyway.
+++ January 30th, 7:32 a.m.: FC Schalke 04 changes course! +++
After the desired transfer of Koffi Kouao did not materialize, FC Schalke 04 is now switching to Fabien Centonze from FC Nantes, according to “Le Parisien” and “Sky”.
Like Kouao, the 28-year-old is a right-back and is currently on the sidelines in Nantes. The current negotiations are about loaning the defender. It is said that the salary is currently being discussed.
The “Ruhr Nachrichten” meanwhile confirmed that FC Schalke 04 would like to bring in the Frenchman.
+++ January 29th, 8:40 p.m.: News about the HSV flirt Zima +++
Hamburger SV actually wanted to borrow David Zima from FC Torino. There should be a purchase option for the defender. But after there was still confusion about the commitment in the afternoon and hope that the deal would still come about, it now seems clear, according to “Sky”, that the 23-year-old’s planned transfer has fallen through.
Accordingly, the planned medical check has been cancelled, Zima will now probably join Sparta Prague and thus move (back) to his homeland.