Cologne line up Mees de Wit as potential Borna Sosa alternative | OneFootball

FC Cologne continue to work on strengthening the left side of their defense on deadline day, with Crystal Palace’s Borna Sosa remaining the preferred target and AZ Alkmaar full-back Mees de Wit emerging as the principal alternative. Sky Germany’s Marlon Irlbacher reports that Sosa remains the cathedral city club’s first-choice solution as Köln seek additional competition for Gideon Mensah.

AZ Alkmaar defender de Wit has now nevertheless entered the picture. Both Sky Germany and Kicker report that the 28-year-old is under consideration, with Kicker adding that a Cologne delegation travelled to the Netherlands on Monday. De Wit is being treated as the contingency should sporting director Thomas Kessler and the club’s recruitment team prove unable to complete the Croatian international’s Bundesliga return.

Cologne seek additional competition for Gideon Mensah

The search reflects Cologne’s desire to add another experienced option behind Mensah before the transfer window closes. Mensah currently represents the only established natural left-back in the senior squad. The Ghanaian international featured prominently in GGFN’s 2026/27 Cologne tactical preview, but additional depth on the flank remains one of the areas in which the Effzeh could still strengthen.

Sosa would offer extensive Bundesliga experience after making his name during five years with Stuttgart. At his peak, the attack-minded wing-back ranked among the league’s most productive crossers from the left. De Wit offers a different route. The former Ajax academy player has spent the last four years with AZ and would arrive as another experienced option capable of immediately competing with Mensah.

GGFN | Peter Weis