Official | Wolfsburg sign two centre-backs on transfer deadline day, Basel’s Jonas Adjetey arrives for €10m | OneFootball

VfL Wolfsburg were indeed ultimately able to address their urgent central defensive needs via two transfer deadline transactions shortly after the close of business in Germany. Two new centre-backs – Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeanuël Belocian and Basel’s Jonas Adjetey – are signed on at Germany’s green company team. 

Leverkusen recall gets Belocian over the line

Belocian’s loan out from Leverkusen to Wolfsburg almost fell through due to complications encountered by Leverkusen getting Tim Oermann recalled from his Sturm Graz loan stint early. Once the Oermann recall was sorted out, the way was free for Belocian. 

“We have great confidence in Jeanuël’s abilities, but he has not yet been able to really establish himself with us after his serious and protracted injury,” B04 sporting director Simon Rolfes noted upon the completion of the deal. “What he needs now is playing time, which he should get in Wolfsburg.“

“Jeanuël is versatile in defense and, in addition to his great potential, already has experience in the Bundesliga,” VfL sporting director Pirmin Schwegler added. “For us, he is a promising reinforcement who should help our team right away.“

“It’s important for me to get as much playing time as possible and continue to develop,” Belocian himself said. “I see the ideal conditions for that at VfL.“

Wolfsburg finally see an offer accepted with Adjetey

Wolfsburg have seen their attempts to acquire other central defenders (Charlie Cresswell, Matte Smets and Raphael Onyedika) rebuffed during the just-completed transfer window. Basel weren’t necessarily keen on letting Jonas Adjetey go on the same day they sent attacker Philip Otele to Hamburg.

In the end, however, an offer close to €10m proved too difficult to refuse. The seven-times-capped Ghanaian international signed a new contract with the German Wolves valid until 2030. 

“Jonas is a physically very strong player, fast, and good in one-on-one situations,” Schwegler said of Adjetey. “He brings exactly the qualities we need for our defense. At FC Basel, he has proven himself over the past three-and-a-half years, both in the league and internationally. We have high hopes for Jonas and are convinced that he will strengthen our team immediately.”

“The sporting management was against it for understandable reasons,” Basel noted in a club statement. “After today’s unexpected turn of events, we as the board of directors decided that we simply could not turn down VfL Wolfsburg’s final offer. Our economic responsibility for the club was the deciding factor in this case.”

“It means a lot to me to be in the Bundesliga,” the 22-year-old himself said. “And now take this step with VfL Wolfsburg.“

GGFN | Peter Weis