Eric Martel hesitated for a long time to sign a new contract with 1. FC Köln. According to a leak from the club, they might not be planning with Martel anymore. Talks are now scheduled for the new week.

AC Florenz inquired in the winter about Eric Martel, the former captain of the U21 national team.

German defensive midfielder Eric Martel, 23, has a contract with 1. FC Köln that expires in the summer. Discussions about a contract extension were scheduled to conclude in the winter, but this apparently has not happened. It is suggested that Martel may have already decided against a future at 1. FC Köln. Coach Kwasniok recently made Martel a substitute in Freiburg and indicated that another new signing could make a departure possible, potentially referring to Martel. This season, Martel has made 19 Bundesliga appearances, scoring one goal and providing two assists, and he has 30 caps and 3 goals for Germany's U21 team. According to Transfermarkt, his current market value is €8.00m. Reports from November 2025 suggested he could be available for less than €10 million. He moved from RB Leipzig to 1. FC Köln in July 2022 for a fee reported to be €1.2 million.