Köln emerge as takers for Freiburg striker Michael Gregoritsch | OneFootball

Köln’s Geißblog is currently reporting that SC Freiburg striker Michael Gregoritsch may have found his next Bundesliga club. The heavily-capped Austrian international – having already worked at Freiburg, Augsburg, Hamburg, Schalke, St. Pauli, Bochum, and the Hoffenheim reserves – may be moving to FC Köln.

Gregoritsch enters the final year the Freiburg deal he signed after being swapped for then Augsburg striker Ermedin Demirovic ahead of the 2022/23 campaign. The presence of Junior Adamu, Lucas Höler, and the newly signed Igor Matanovic leaves Gregoritsch without great playing prospects in Breisgau.

Borussia Mönchengladbach were linked with a move for Gregoritisch earlier this summer, but the foals have gone in a different direction in their striker search. Köln, meanwhile, urgently seek an experienced replacement for the departed Damion Downs.

Matters could move quite swiftly as a deal makes perfect sense for both sides. Mid-market Freiburg must balance their summer transfer books. The south Germans currently operate with an estimated €26.5m deficit.

Freiburg were able to recoup some of the funds they spent on new players this summer by finalizing the sale of French right back Kiliann Sildillia to PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday. Moving Ritsu Doan to Eintracht Frankfurt should net the SCF an additional €20m.

Gregoritsch maintains an estimated market value of €3m. The 31-year-old scored only three goals for club last season, but did notch three tallies for country in the UEFA Nations League.