Report: Bochum's Osterhage completes Freiburg switch, SCF consider Oermann over Schlotterbeck recall

Germany's main sporting tabloid reports that SC Freiburg and VfL Bochum have wrapped up ongoing negotiations over the transfer of Germany U21 international Patrick Osterhage. Contrary to previous reports, it appears as if the 24-year-old will cost "die Breisgauer" a significant amount of money. "Sport Bild" claims that the southern German club will activate a release clause in Osterhage's contract in the €5 million range.

The German tabloid further notes that Freiburg are interested in potentially acquiring central defender Tim Oermann as part of their summer defensive re-stock. The 20-year-old recently became a regular actor under now sacked VfL Bochum trainer Thomas Letsch. Oermann started the last three league fixtures for the Revierklub under Letsch's regime.

Freiburg potentially acquiring Letsch may open the door for SCF loan-out Keven Schlotterbeck to remain in North-Rhine Westphalia. The elder Schlotterbeck brother has found success with Bochum and is currently garnering regular playing time during his second loan-stint with the VfL. Schlotterbeck's parent club may nevertheless not be willing to allow him to depart due to long-term fitness worries over injured center backs Philipp Lienhart and Matthias Ginter. 

SCF personnel boss Klemens Hartenbach - as quoted by Germany's Kicker Magazine - wishes to "keep a close eye on the market" as Ginter and Lienhart remain out. SCF trainer Christian Streich has had difficulty filling his defensive ranks this season without his top duo. Departing midfielder Yannik Keitel has been forced to work in the back three; often to disastrous effect.