Cologne midfielder Salih Ozcan has made it clear that he plans to stick with the Bundesliga outfit next season despite interest from Rangers and West Bromwich Albion, when speaking to the Express.
While Steven Gerrard’s Glasgow giants have made light work of reinforcing their attack, snapping up both Kemar Roofe and Cedric Itten for a combined fee of £6 million, things are proving to be a little more difficult elsewhere.
Rangers have been linked with a long list of dynamic midfielders since the transfer window opened but, as of yet, neither Haris Belkebla, Dejan Ljubicic, Niklas Dorsch nor Aliou Traore have arrived at Ibrox.
A £3.6 million deal to sign Amiens’ South African international Bongani Zungu, meanwhile, fell through due to concerns over his fitness levels (Courrier Picard).
KST reported earlier in August that Ozcan was expected to snub offers from both Rangers and West Brom due to his desire to stay at his hometown club – a stance he has now confirmed three weeks later.
“I’m from Cologne. (The club) was immediately the number one option for me,” says the Germany U21 international, who is thrilled to be offered a new start under coach Markus Gisdol after a loan spell at Holstein Kiel.
“I had the feeling that they really wanted me back. That felt good. We talked about everything – my strengths and weaknesses, as the coach plans with me. I immediately felt the appreciation.
“The way Markus Gisdol lets football play suits me. And it also fits the entire team.”
Clearly, this is not a man who is pining for the exit.
Ozcan has not played for Cologne since May 2019 but, with the new Bundesliga season set to kick off in a matter of weeks, that will soon change.
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