According to a report from Sky, 1. FC Köln continues to be interested in re-signing Salih Özcan, a 27-year-old Turkish international. There were similar rumors in the summer, at which point sporting director Thomas Kessler clarified that his contact with the defensive midfielder was of a private nature. Özcan, who came through Köln's youth system, transferred to Borussia Dortmund in 2022 for a set fee of five million euros but has not been able to permanently establish himself there, having made only three Bundesliga appearances this season. Dortmund would reportedly not obstruct Özcan's departure and would permit a transfer in the winter for a suitable offer. A significant hurdle is his salary, as Özcan is due to earn 2.5 million euros until his contract expires next summer, a figure that would exceed Köln's wage structure. The player, who has 26 caps for his country, has a current market value of €4.00m, according to Transfermarkt. Several Turkish clubs, including Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe, and Galatasaray, have also been linked with him.