According to the 'Geissblog', the Domstadt team came close to signing Kosovan international Fisnik Asllani in January while the forward was on loan from TSG Hoffenheim at SV Elversberg. The proposed transfer would have seen Asllani move directly to the Rhine, with Tim Lemperle, 23, going to Hoffenheim as part of the deal. Ultimately, the 23-year-old forward declined the offer from Cologne because, as a key player, he did not want to abandon Elversberg during their promotion battle. Asllani, whose contract at Hoffenheim runs until 2029, has a current market value of €8.00m according to Transfermarkt and has also been linked with SV Werder Bremen and LOSC Lille.