After BVB exit: Is Özcan moving within the Bundesliga? | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund and Salih Özcan will part ways this summer. After his departure from BVB, the Turkish international could be in line for a surprising return.

After four years at Borussia Dortmund, Salih Özcan is set to leave BVB. The Turkish international’s contract expires this summer, meaning the midfielder will be available on a free transfer. According to information from the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, the 28-year-old could now be heading back to his hometown club.

According to the report, there has already been concrete contact between 1. FC Köln and the player’s representatives. Özcan is said to be very open to a return to the Rhineland. The Cologne-born midfielder is considered a true homegrown talent of Effzeh: he joined the club at the age of nine, made his professional debut in the 2016/17 season, and subsequently developed into a key player in midfield.

The speculation has also been fueled by the upcoming rebuild at the Billy Goats. Eric Martel is leaving the club on a free transfer for Mainz 05, leaving a major gap in defensive midfield. That is exactly where those in charge apparently see a need to act. Internally, Özcan is therefore seen as one of the preferred solutions.

After BVB exit: Cologne want Salih Özcan

The advantage for Cologne: unlike last summer, the midfielder would be available without a transfer fee this time. After rather disappointing years in Dortmund, his chapter at BVB is coming to an end, having never truly established himself on a permanent basis despite making 96 competitive appearances in total. In 2022, the Black and Yellows had still paid around five million euros for the then-key FC player.

Photo: IMAGO

However, Cologne are not alone in pursuing Özcan. According to the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, Werder Bremen are also considering the Turkish international. In addition, several clubs from the Süper Lig are said to have expressed tentative interest. Nevertheless, the home advantage could ultimately prove decisive for Effzeh.

Alongside Özcan, the report says Cologne have also considered a possible return for Ellyes Skhiri. However, the Tunisian is still under contract with Eintracht Frankfurt until 2027, which would make a transfer significantly more difficult to pull off. That is why the focus of Cologne’s decision-makers currently appears to be more firmly on Özcan.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.