The sporting directors at Rot-Weiss Essen have a lot of work ahead of them this summer, too. That much is already clear.
With the winter transfer window now closed, all eyes are once again on the future. There are still 16 matchdays left in the 3. Liga, after which Rot-Weiss Essen will know whether it will continue in the 3. Liga or the 2. Bundesliga.
In either case, it seems clear that there will be a major shakeup this summer. Eleven contracts are set to expire, and six loaned players will initially return to their parent clubs.
For some players, however, a contract extension could be triggered automatically. 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 3. Liga. He has already made 16 appearances.
Ramien Safi’s contract is set to be extended if the team is promoted to the 2. Bundesliga. Gianluca Swajkowski’s contract is set to be extended after eight matches, though the young talent has only made three appearances so far. There could be further departures in the summer should 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 2nd Bundesliga.
RWE reportedly holds purchase options for two loaned players (Abiama, Mause), though the option for Mause will definitely 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 has 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 move for a permanent transfer fee thanks to buyout clauses
Lucas Brumme
Jakob Golz