Cologne dropped Ellyes Skhiri for their DFB Pokal clash at the weekend because of uncertainty surrounding the reported West Ham United target’s future, head coach Steffen Baumgart has told the Express.
There was one notable absence from the starting XI as Baumgart’s Billy Goats defeated Carl Zeiss Jena in the first round of the German Cup.
Having spent much of the past few weeks being linked with a £14 million move to the Premier League, Tunisia international Skhiri was conspicuous by his absence, left on the sidelines as Germany U21 ace Salih Ozcan started in his place.
“With Ellyes, the situation is such we still don’t know 100 per cent where he’s going – even if we assume he’s staying here for the time being,” explains Baumgart.
Cologne have already sold Sebastiaan Bornauw and Ismail Jakobs to Wolfsburg and Monaco respectively but, according to the Express, the club’s financial problems mean Skhiri may also have to be sacrificed.
“A player of (Skhiri’s) quality is good for every team,” Baumgart adds. “But here at Cologne we also have a very clear path that is predetermined. It’s about acting economically sensible.
“Then you have to weigh up – is (selling Skhiri) worth it or not?”
Could Ellyes Skhiri still end up at West Ham United?
The former Paderborn boss still believes Skhiri will be plying his trade at the Rhein Energie Stadium come September.
“I am convinced Ellyes will stay.”
West Ham have been linked with a number of talented central midfielders this summer – usually 6ft-plus enforcers in the Tomas Soucek mould – but those links have dried up of late.
Perhaps that has something to do with the excellent pre-season form of Conor Coventry, a probing, piercing playmaker in the mould of a young Michael Carrick.
West Ham have also tied down long-serving skipper Mark Noble to a new contract.
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