Bundesliga News

Krösche hints Kostic and N'dicka moves are near: "If they don't extend, we have to sell."

By Peter Weis   @PeterVicey

With some 20 player contracts set to expire at the end of next season, Eintracht Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krösche has made no secret of the fact that his club may engage in a fire sale this summer. 

In an interview with German footballing magazine Kicker, the SGE personnel boss hinted that he might not even wait until the offseason.
Markus Krösche.
Markus Krösche.Photo: GEPA Pictures/Roger Petzsche
The cover story in the Monday print edition of German footballing magazine Kicker this week drew attention to the fact that over 200 Bundesliga player contracts are set to expire after the 2022/23 season. Whereas the story of last offseason was undoubtedly the so-called "coaching carousel" (eight trainers switched teams), this summer may come to be known as the biggest offseason for blockbuster deals ever.


Speaking to the magazine as part of the story, Eintracht Frankfurt personnel boss Markus Krösche remained very candid about what he planned to do with players who had no interest in extending their expiring contracts. The 41-year-old plainly stated that he owed it to his employer to cash in on such actors.

"If they don't extend their contract, the situation automatically arises that we have to sell them," Krösche said, "We will see how big the upheaval will be in the coming weeks. It might be the case that some are already leaving us."

Since coming to the club from RB Leipzig last offseason, Krösche has undeniably done an admirably job of getting ahead of the departure trend. In addition to a very serviceable summer transfer window, the SGE administrator has brought in striker Randal Kolo Muani, winger Faride Alidou, and defender Jerome Onguéné for next season. Official confirmation of the Hrvoje Smolčić deal (considered long completed) should come within days.

With so many new actors heading in, it now appears all but certain that Krösche will not hesitate in offloading players with no interest in extending. According to Kicker, the club remains in active talks to extend with Japanese attacker Daichi Kamada and defender Lucas Silva "Tuta" Melo.

The same does not apply to star Serbian winger Filip Kostic and defender Evan N'dicka. After the collapse of the deal to send Kostic to Lazio last August, it makes perfect sense that Krösche has no desire to risk repeating the issues the failed transfer caused. It's also no secret that Eintracht have been openly shopping N'dicka for some €20 million plus.

The Kicker cover story goes on to say that Krösche actively plans sales for both players.


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