Mainz close to selling Edimilson Fernandes and loaning Marco Richter | OneFootball

As German Conference League representatives Mainz 05 seek to trim their 31-man-squad, separate sources report that two players are on their way out. Recent loan returnees Edimilson Fernandes and Marco Richter should depart the Bundesliga outfit soon. Neither professional plays a role in head coach Bo Henriksen’s plans.

The Mainzer Allgemeine Zeitung goes so far as to claim that Fernandes is on the verge of a transfer to a new club. The former West Ham United man has racked up plenty experience with the Rheinhessen since being purchased from the Hammers for a €7.5m fee. Fernandes made 91 Bundesliga appearances for Mainz between 2019 and 2024.

The versatile defensive midfielder/centre-back/fullback has nevertheless been on the move quite a bit over the last few years. Mainz have loaned him out on three occasions. After stints with Young Boys Bern and (at the time) competing Bundesliga club Arminia Bielefeld, Fernades most recently returned from a year-long loan at Stade Brest.

Fernandes did accrue 10 Champions League appearances last season and even scored a UCL goal. Despite his struggles, the 34-times-capped Swiss international maintains a €3m estimated market value. The local paper does not specifically name the club Fernandes will be heading to.

In the case of former Germany U21 star Richter, Mainz have encountered a great deal of difficulty finding a taker for the 27-year-old. Italian journalist Maurizio Russo reports that recently promoted Serie A side Pisa SC might be willing to take Richter on loan.

Richter just returned from a loan stint with newly promoted Bundesliga outfit Hamburger SV, at which he unfortunately wasn’t able to establish himself.

GGFN | Peter Weis