Following the dismissal of Steffen Baumgart and the transfer ban, the door to the professional squad at 1. FC Köln has been reopened for Justin Diehl. Nevertheless, a transfer is still on the cards.

Justin Diehl was actually supposed to serve his time at 1. FC Köln in the U21s and not get a chance with the professionals until he signed a professional contract – at least that was Steffen Baumgart’s plan. But now things have changed.

On the one hand, Baumgart is gone – also because nothing came together offensively for the “Effzeh” in the first half of the season. Cologne only scored ten times in 16 games. In comparison: Diehl, who took on the task in the U21 and was convincing, scored twelve goals in 19 regional league games alone and set up nine more. On the other hand, Cologne’s two-period transfer ban was confirmed, meaning the club will not be allowed to register new players until January 1, 2025.

This means that the club is now all the more reliant on its own youth ranks – and no one has stood out as much as 19-year-old Diehl. Interim coach André Pawlak therefore decided to bring in the striker for the start of training with the professionals together with Jaka Cuber Potocnik (18) – the attacker whose transfer led to the transfer ban.

Stuttgart hope to sign Diehl

It is therefore quite possible that Diehl’s long overdue third Bundesliga appearance is imminent. The striker already made two appearances last year. However, the rumors about his departure are not stopping.

As reported by “kicker”, VfB Stuttgart are intensifying their courting of Diehl. According to the report, the German international with Ghanaian roots is not averse to making the move to Stuttgart.

Chairman of the board Alexander Wehrle could be a decisive advantage for the Swabians in the negotiations. Before returning to Stuttgart in March 2022, the 48-year-old worked as managing director in Cologne for nine years and knows Diehl and his family well. It remains to be seen which path the Cologne native will choose…