Basel attacker Philip Otele (26) scheduled for Hamburg medical | OneFootball

Florian Plettenberg reports that Hamburg are close to signing Nigerian winger Philip Otele from FC Basel. The 26-year-old has a Hamburger SV medical lined up later today and will move to the Bundesliga on a short-term loan with an option to buy. Otele maintains an estimated market value of €5m in the latest Transfermarkt listings.

Hamburg continue to shore up their attack

Otele – like fellow new HSV signing Albert Grønbaek – primarily works on the left attacking flank, yet has plenty of experience all along the front line. Otele has had quite the profiling year for his Swiss outfit, scoring nine goals and registering four assists in 32 appearances across all competitions. 

Hamburg also picked up a center forward in the form of German-American striker Damion Downs during the current January 2026 transfer window. The Hanseatic city state club apparently intends to retain the services of Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer after rejecting an offer from Middlesbrough.

GGFN | Peter Weis