Köln are in advanced talks to sign Wolfsburg forward Luca Waldschmidt  | OneFootball

As reported by Kicker, Köln have identified Luca Waldschmidt as a key transfer target for this summer and the negotiations are advanced.

The deal would see Waldschmidt sign for the Billy Goats on an initial loan, with a future purchase option included for Steffen Baumgart’s side. Waldschmidt’s contract is set to expire in the summer of 2025 with Wolfsburg and if the purchase option is taken up by Köln then he would sign until 2027.

The 27-year-old attacker signed for the Wolves in 2021 from Portuguese side Benfica for around €12m, however, he has yet to establish himself in Niko Kovač’s side. This season Waldschmidt has been limited to just 600 minutes in all competitions, scoring just five goals in that time.

Due to the forward’s exemplary nature off the pitch, Wolfsburg have agreed not to stand in the way of Waldschmidt if he wishes to move on. In Köln, there is a sense that the 27-year-old could be the perfect replacement for the absent Mark Uth who has been out for the majority of the season with injury.

The versatile attacker can play in a number of positions in the final third, including playing behind the striker which is the desired option for Köln. Baumgart has been able to retrieve the undeniable quality marksman Davie Selke has since his arrival from Hertha Berlin in January, and the Billygoats will be hoping that Selke and Waldschmidt could blossom into a prolific pairing.

GGFN | Will Shopland