The Express from Köln, reports that 1.FC Köln could lose two of their talented youth players in the summer due to expiring contracts.
Both Tim Lemperle and Jonas Urbig are products of the Köln Academy but they also both have contracts that expire in the next two years and with Köln looking increasingly unlikely that they are able to get promoted they could both leave soon.
Lemperle is the immediate cause for concern as his contract in the Domstadt expires next summer, meaning he can move to a club for free. The 22-year-old has impressed with his performances in the 2.Bundesliga this season is the team’s top scorer with four goals and Hoffenheim is one of the clubs said to be interested.
The striker is comfortable in Köln but also wants to play in the Bundesliga, and with the team currently 10th in the 2.Bundesliga it would look likely that he leaves unless Köln can either turn their performances around or convince Lemperle to stay in the second division for another season.
The same cannot be said for goalkeeper Urbig. The 21-year-old also dreams of playing in the Bundesliga and will look to leave the club next summer. Urbig has no intention of extending his contract at Köln, which expires in 2026, and Sky Germany reports that he will likely cost €5-7m.
The 21-year-old is one of Germany’s next great goalkeeping prospects and has been tipped as a future number-one for the national team.
GGFN | Jack Meenan
