Report: Borussia Dortmund to face competition from RB Leipzig for Salih Özcan’s signature
By Tushar Bahl
Borussia Dortmund are reportedly set to face competition from RB Leipzig for the signature of FC Köln midfielder Salih Özcan.
Signing a new defensive midfielder appears to be high on Borussia Dortmund’s list of priorities for the summer transfer window. The Black and Yellows are looking to replace Axel Witsel, who will leave the club this summer after a four year spell.
Borussia Dortmund have been linked with a number of defensive midfielders in recent weeks, including Wolfsburg’s Xaver Schlager, FC Köln’s Salih Özcan and RB Leipzig’s Konrad Laimer. It still remains to be seen who their top target is. But Kicker report that in addition to Dortmund, RB Leipzig are also said to be interested in signing Salih Özcan.
According to the magazine, Özcan is expected to leave FC Köln this summer after helping them qualify for next season’s UEFA Europa Conference League.
His current contract with the Billy Goats is set to expire at the end of next season. So Köln will likely look to cash in on the 24 year old this summer in order to avoid losing him on a free transfer next year. Özcan joined FC Köln at the age of nine and has made a total of 127 appearances for the club.
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Marco Rose spoke last week about wanting a midfielder who is solid in duels and has a strong mentality. Özcan has shown this season that he has those attributes in his game. And it will be interesting to see if the BVB bosses decide to make a move for him this summer.