Florian Plettenberg reports that Mainz midfielder Tom Krauß may soon be moving to FC Köln. Other Bundesliga clubs such as Werder Bremen and Borussia Mönchengladbach are also known to be interested, but Plettenberg claims that Krauß fancies a move to the cathedral city after positive talks with Köln personnel chief Thomas Kessler.
Krauß was once a highly sought after commodity in German football. The former Leipzig man built up quite the reputation whilst on loan with FC Nürnberg in the 2. Bundesliga during the 2020/21 and 2021/22 campaigns. Leipzig the loaned him out to Schalke 04 in the top flight for the 2022/23 season. Krauß played regularly and well despite Schalke’s relegation.
Mainz considered themselves sufficiently impressed with Krauß to the point that they shelled out €5m to purchase him ahead of the 2023/24 season. After struggling to establish himself in his second Bundesliga season, Krauß was loaned out to Luton Town in the EFL Championship last summer.
Mainz ended up recalling Krauß early and negotiating a new loan with VfL Bochum during the January transfer window.The now 24-year-old turned in some strong performances for Dieter Hecking’s Revierklub.
Krauß now has 76 Bundesliga appearances under his belt. He’s scored thrice in the German top flight. There nevertheless appears to be no room for him in the Mainzer midfield. The same applies to another Mainz loan returnee, German attacking midfielder Marco Richter.
Richter once played alongside Krauß with the Germany U21s, even captaining Stefan Kuntz’s U21 squad in the run to the 2021 European Championship. Mainz acquired Richter from relegated Hertha BSC for €3m in the very same summer they purchased Krauß.
Richter too was loaned out at the beginning of this season, unfortunately not performing terribly well for promoted Hamburg in the 2. Bundesliga. HSV officially returned Richter to the Rheinhessen last week.
Richter’s top flight CV remains impressive. The now 27-year-old has scored 24 goals in 179 Bundesliga appearances for Mainz, Hertha, and Augsburg. His current estimated market value still stands at only €2m
Given that Mainz may not find a taker for their attacker, still under contract through 2027, it might be the case that head coach Bo Henriksen finds a way to work him into his European plans for next season.
GGFN | Peter Weis
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