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Özcan injured: Cologne's hope of returning is fading!
Cologne are fighting for Salih Özcan's return from injury while facing financial hurdles and competition.
Özcan injured: Cologne's hope of returning is fading!
The current situation surrounding Salih Özcan is causing waves in FC Cologne and beyond. The talented midfielder, who is currently under contract with Borussia Dortmund, has recently stood out due to an injury sustained during a training session with the Turkish national team. This knee injury, which was diagnosed on June 5, 2025, now forces him to miss the friendly against Mexico and the upcoming Club World Cup. His state of health could have a decisive impact on 1. FC Köln's transfer strategy, as the FC is showing strong interest in Özcan's return, as Absolut Fussball reports.
Özcan, who was under contract with Dortmund last season and earns an annual salary of between 4 and 5 million euros, now faces several challenges. In addition to his injury, which jeopardizes his participation in the Club World Cup, FC Cologne also sees significant financial hurdles. Sports director Thomas Kessler expressed himself positively about the idea of Özcan's return, but emphasized that there are currently no official inquiries about this, as Express reports. Kessler plans to gradually optimize the squad.
The competition never sleeps
While Cologne's hopes for Özcan are fading, other clubs, including Besiktas and Galatasaray, have also expressed interest in the midfielder. These Turkish clubs are more financially flexible and could offer Özcan higher salaries, which could further reduce FC Köln's chances of signing the player. Kessler has made it clear that Eric Martel's decision to remain with the team could also have an impact on negotiations.
The uncertainty about Özcan's return is further increased by the injury statistics in football. According to Transfermarkt, many other players are also currently injured. This situation could prove critical for Bundesliga clubs' squad planning.
Alternatives for the midfield
If Özcan's return does not materialize, FC Cologne is already looking for alternatives. Tom Krauß from Mainz is brought into play here as a possible new player. Kessler has already contacted him to clarify whether and under what conditions a change would be possible.
The next few weeks will be crucial to see how the situation surrounding Salih Özcan develops. Regardless of the decision, 1. FC Köln must have a plan B to strategically strengthen their position in midfield. The fans can be curious to see what changes are still to be made in the squad planning and how the club will deal with unexpected challenges.