The sporting directors at Rot-Weiss Essen will have a lot of work to do in the summer. That much is already certain.

The winter transfer window has closed, so it’s time to look ahead again. There are still 16 match days left in the 3rd division, then Rot-Weiss Essen will know whether it will continue in the 3rd division or the 2nd Bundesliga. In either case, it seems clear that there will be a major shake-up in the summer. Eleven contracts are expiring, and six loan players will initially return to their clubs.

However, contract extensions could be automatically activated for one or two players. This is the case, for example, with veteran midfielder Klaus Gjasula, who, as reported by the WAZ, has a clause in his contract stating that it will be extended after 25 appearances in the 3rd league. He has already made 16 appearances.

Ramien Safi’s contract is set to be extended if the club is promoted to the second division. Gianluca Swajkowski’s contract is set to be extended after eight games, but the talented player has only made three appearances so far. There could be further departures in the summer if goalkeeper Jakob Golz or Lucas Brumme make use of their exit clauses.

One thing is clear from Essen’s point of view: Nils Kaiser and Kelsey Owusu are unlikely to receive new offers, and Kaito Mizuta will only be retained if RWE is promoted to the 2nd Bundesliga.

RWE is said to have purchase options for two loan players (Abiama, Mause), but these will definitely not be exercised in Mause’s case. Abiama now has the chance to prove himself worthy of a permanent transfer. Contracts expiring Tino Casali Klaus Gjasula (contract extends with 25 games, he has already played 16) >
Michael Schultz

Ahmet Arslan

Torben Müsel

Tobias Kraulich

Ramien Safi (extended if promoted)

Nils Kaiser

Kaito Mizuta

Kelsey Owusu

Gianluca Swajkowski (clause, contract extended after 8 appearances)

Gone after loan spell

Jannik Mause (on loan from 1. FC Kaiserslautern, RWE has an option to buy)

Jannik Hofmann (on loan from 1. FC Nürnberg)

Dickson Abiama (on loan from 1. FC Kaiserslautern, RWE would have a purchase option)

Jaka Cuber Potocnik (on loan from 1. FC Köln)

Franci Bouebari (on loan from SC Freiburg)

Danny Schmidt (on loan from Fortuna Düsseldorf)

May leave for a fixed transfer fee thanks to exit clauses

Lucas Brumme

Jakob Golz