1.FC Köln’s Tim Lemperle to join Hoffenheim in the summer upon the expiry of his contract

Fussball Transfers reports that Hoffenheim have won the race for 1.FC Köln striker Tim Lemperle, whose contract expires in the summer. 

In his first season back in the Domstadt after being on loan at Greuther Fürth, Lemperle is the team’s top scorer having scored 6 goals in 13 games as the club currently sit fifth in the 2.Bundesliga. It had previously been reported that the 22 year old, although comfortable in Köln, wanted to play in the Bundesliga.

However, Lemperle could be joined by several other highly rated Köln youngsters heading to the exit door. It has previously been reported that Jonas Urbig wants out of the club with Bayer Leverkusen showing interest, but his issue is his desire to play first-team football, the keeper has also recently lost his place as the club’s number. The other is Max Finkgräfe, who like Urbig has also played a lesser role in the first team in recent weeks.

Both are said to already be in talks with new clubs. 

The only positive for Köln is that their transfer ban is coming to an end meaning they can mitigate these losses. It has already been reported that they are looking at bringing in a couple of players in the winter including Ivan Prtajin from Union Berlin, who has struggled to make an impact since joining from Wehen Wiesbaden, as well as Borussia Dortmund II duo Julian Hettwer and Franz Roggow who would greatly improve their push for promotion.

GGFN | Jack Meenan