The sporting directors at Rot-Weiss Essen have a lot of work ahead of them this summer as well. That much is already certain.

The winter transfer window has closed, so all eyes are now looking ahead. There are still 16 matchdays left in the 3. Liga, after which Rot-Weiss Essen will know whether they’ll continue in the 3. Liga or the 2. Bundesliga.

In either case, it seems clear that there will be major changes this summer. Eleven contracts are expiring, and six loan players will return to their clubs for the time being.

However, contract extensions could be automatically triggered 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 stipulating that it will be extended after 25 appearances in the 3rd League. He has already made 16.

Ramien Safi’s contract is set to extend if the team is promoted to the 2. Bundesliga. Gianluca Swajkowski’s contract is set to extend after eight matches, though the young talent has only made three appearances so far. There could be further departures in the summer if goalkeeper Jakob Golz or Lucas Brumme exercise their release clauses.

One thing is clear from Essen’s perspective: Nils Kaiser and Kelsey Owusu are unlikely to receive new offers, and Kaito Mizuta is likely to stay only if RWE is promoted to the 2. Bundesliga.

RWE reportedly holds purchase options for two loan players (Abiama, Mause), though the option for Mause will certainly not be exercised. Abiama now has the chance to prove himself worthy of a permanent transfer.

Contracts expiring

Tino Casali

Klaus Gjasula (contract extends after 25 games; he has already played 16)

Michael Schultz

Ahmet Arslan

Torben Müsel

Tobias Kraulich

Ramien Safi (contract extends upon promotion)

Nils Kaiser

Kaito Mizuta

Kelsey Owusu

Gianluca Swajkowski (clause: contract extends after 8 appearances)

Left after loan

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

Jannik Hofmann (on loan from 1. FC Nürnberg)

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

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

Franci Bouebari (on loan from SC Freiburg)

Danny Schmidt (on loan from Fortuna Düsseldorf)

May be transferred for a fixed fee thanks to buyout clauses

Lucas Brumme

Jakob Golz