Dortmund reportedly eye Chabot via €5 million exit clause
It is already known that 1. FC Köln attackers Davie Selke and Mark Uth will be automatically released from their contracts in the event that Germany's cathedral city side are relegated this season. Multiple sources now report that the roster's highest valued player shall also be available via a €5 million exit clause in his current contract.
While Julian (Jeff) Chabot's contract remains valid for the 2. Bundesliga, the 26-year-old can easily make the switch to a different team. Both of Köln's daily newspapers - the Kölner-Stadt Anzeiger and the Kölner express - claim that Chabot and keeper Marvin Schwäbe maintain exit clauses in their contracts. Chabot's current estimated market worth lies at €9 million.
The two news sources - in addition to Köln's "Geißblog" fan-site - list Dortmund as a potential suitor for Chabot. Die Schwarzgelben, perpetually on the look out for defensive upgrades every offseason, will certainly be looking for a third center back to work alongside Nico Schlotterbeck and Niklas Süle should Mats Hummels retire.
Köln sporting director Christian Keller is quoted in all three sources as saying that the club's front office will fight to keep every last player in the even that relegation can be avoided. A strict transfer ban precludes Keller and his staff from signing any new players irrespective of whether the team remains in the first division or not.
The Effzeh can - in spite of the ban - still sign loan players to permanent deals. Keller is on record as stating that the club wishes to sign Luca Waldschmidt (VfL Wolfsburg), Faride Alidolu (Eintracht Frankfurt), and Rasmus Carstensen (KRC Genk) permanently should circumstances allow it. Köln were able to boost their survival hopes with a unexpected win against Bochum last weekend.