Köln face striker shortage as injuries force winter‑only recruitment

Verletzungen Warum: In a 2‑2 test match against city rivals Viktoria, FC Köln saw both central strikers Thijs Dallinga and Ragnar Ache go down, leaving the club without a recognised number nine and sparking urgent questions about its attacking plan.

Summer signing Thijs Dallinga (26) suffered a cruciate‑ligament rupture, ruling him out for several months, while Ragnar Ache (28) sustained a muscle strain that will keep him sidelined until at least November.

Sporting director Thomas Kessler confirmed that the club will not pursue an emergency signing on the nine, despite rumours on “Geissblog” and “Sky Sport DE”. He said any new forward would only be considered in the January transfer window.

Free‑agent forwards on the market

The pool of unattached centre‑forwards includes high‑profile names such as Karim Benzema (38) and Mauro Icardi (33). Other experienced Bundesliga players listed are Joselu (36), who is returning to Qatar, Cedric Teuchert (29), Ihlas Bebou (32) and former Osnabrück striker Assan Ceesay (32). Ex‑Fortuna striker Dawid Kownacki (29) may only join a German professional club from January after his contract with Werder Bremen was terminated.

Budget relief and purchase option

Dallinga’s salary will be released from the wage bill, and from the seventh week statutory accident insurance together with private policies will cover the cost. The club also retains an option to buy the Dutch forward from FC Bologna for €11 million, though the decision remains open.

At present there are no concrete rumours about a new striker. Coach René Wagner therefore looks to other squad members for goals, with Luca Waldschmidt (30) and joker Marius Bülter (33) back in contention. Imad Rondic (27), previously released in the summer, could also be targeted, as could young international Said El Mala (20). His brother Malek El Mala (21) already features as a forward in the reserve team.

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With two strikers unavailable and the winter market still months away, Köln must rely on internal options and careful budgeting to maintain its attacking threat in the Bundesliga.