1. FC Köln to offer Eric Martel a ‘massive’ contract extension | OneFootball

Eric Martel’s 1. FC Köln future is still undecided. The 23-year-old is in the final 12 months of his contract with the newly promoted Bundesliga club and a transfer this summer can’t be completely ruled out. Thomas Kessler will hold a meeting with the player during their Austria training camp and, according to Bild, the Billy Goats are ready to offer the player a ‘top salary’.

Should Martel – who was instrumental in their promotion campaign – reject Köln’s proposal, then only this summer Köln can command a good transfer sum for their prized asset, otherwise they risk losing the player on a free transfer in 2026. Should the player reject a contract extension, Bild suggest that Köln would be able to get a fee similar to the one that saw Damion Downs join Southampton for €8m.

It’s a similar situation that saw Tim Lemperle leave Köln upon the expiry of his contract this summer to join fellow Bundesliga side Hoffenheim. Where possible, the RheinEnergieStadion outfit want to avoid losing the player on a free transfer but as of now, there are no concrete offers from interested clubs, per Bild.

GGFN | Daniel Pinder