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.