The departure of midfielder Dejan Ljubicic is a topic of discussion at 1. FC Köln, but the club has little interest in selling him. Only a lucrative transfer fee can change that.
Is he leaving or does he have to stay? Dejan Ljubicic would like to leave 1. FC Köln.
picture alliance / Football News Saarland
He was not involved in the 3:2 win after extra time in the DFB Cup against SV Sandhausen. Dejan Ljubicic is said to have been suffering from “knee problems”; the 1. FC Köln midfielder has struggled with the joint on a number of occasions. That is why he was not able to put himself in the spotlight for a possible departure, although the topic is currently flaring up again.
It is not the first idea of change
The English second division club Leeds United is interested in the 26-year-old Austrian: The German “Whites” coach Daniel Farke would like to sign Ljubicic. It is not the first time that Ljubicic, who moved from Vienna to the Rhine in 2021, has entertained thoughts of moving away. VfL Wolfsburg have already been interested in the technically skilled professional twice, in the past he has changed agents several times – and is still in Cologne.
Also because Ljubicic was one of the biggest enigmas in the FC squad last season. His poor form was persistent and lasted for a long time. Now he is slowly on the up again – and that is precisely why he is not the number one candidate for sale at FC.
Coach Gerhard Struber – also Austrian – can certainly use a strong Ljubicic: the right-footer can be used in a variety of positions in midfield and knows how to bring in surprise elements like few others in the squad. Because sports director Christian Keller is prevented from making any further purchases until January 1st by FIFA’s transfer ban, a Ljubicic departure would create a hole that cannot be filled at least until Christmas.
Leeds’ offer is too low
The four million Euro transfer fee that Leeds is offering is understandably not enough for Cologne. From the Billy Goats’ point of view, jeopardizing their intended direct return to the Bundesliga by the departure of a potential key player makes little sense. The only thing that could change this calculation would be a much more lucrative transfer fee. But the English are not prepared to pay that yet.
But the transfer window is still open for just under two weeks – and over time the pressure to act could increase for the Championship club from Leeds, who started the season with two draws…
