Ahmet Arslan will probably not be moving from 1. FC Magdeburg to Rot-Weiss Essen. Arslan’s advisor, Benjamin Bertram, is now speaking out

1. FC Magdeburg and Ahmet Arslan simply cannot agree on a settlement and have put the talks on ice. This also means for Rot-Weiss Essen: The sporting management around coach Christoph Dabrowski, who desperately wants to sign Arslan, is forced to rethink. Another player must be found for this position

The 30-year-old attacking player Arslan, who is still tied to the second division club until June 30, 2026, will remain in Magdeburg as things stand and train and perhaps also play for the U23 Oberliga reserve team of 1. FC.

The reason: According to forecasting information, Magdeburg is said to have offered Arslan significantly less than the usual market compensation. An offer that the player simply cannot accept. According to our information, Arslan is entitled to around 800,000 euros over the next two years. He is said to be demanding “only” half of that – around 400,000 euros. FCM manager Otmar Schork, however, is said to be insisting on his compensation offer, which is said to be far below the 400,000 euros. In short: either the money or no contract termination

Forecasting spoke to Benjamin Bertram, Ahmet Arslan’s advisor.

Benjamin Bertram, have the negotiations with 1. FC Magdeburg now completely broken down?

As things stand today, unfortunately yes. 1. FC Magdeburg have made us an offer that is simply bottomless. It’s a cheek to a player who is owed so much money until the summer of 2026. I’m not the type of person to do that through the press. But in this case, I have to do it.

Why?

Because Ahmet Arslan is definitely not a greedy person. Or, to put it casually: a money-grubber. I’ve been in the business for a long time and have also been involved in a few severance deals. But I’ve never really experienced anything like this. There is a point of view that is simply insisted on and not moved. Without giving any figures, we are now demanding a severance payment that is significantly less than 50 percent of the salary Ahmet is still entitled to until June 30, 2026. That’s actually not usual in such a contract situation.

Why is FCM, in the person of Otmar Schork, finding it so difficult to find a solution here?

Unfortunately, we can only guess. Perhaps it’s also a personal matter. Because we really have to think this way now. There is no other explanation for this stubbornness. The player is being blamed for being a sourpuss. But that’s simply not factually correct! And the reason why Ahmet didn’t work out in Magdeburg is not solely down to the player. I understand that Magdeburg ultimately burned a lot of money on this transfer. But you could still save some money with a reasonable compensation agreement. But that doesn’t seem to interest the FCM managers at all.

What does all this mean for Rot-Weiss Essen?

This is of course a very bitter story for RWE and Ahmet Arslan. We were already in agreement. RWE made him a good offer in the third division, which he would sign immediately if he received the right compensation from Magdeburg. Unfortunately, we have now had to inform Marcus Steegmann and Christoph Dabrowski that, as things stand today, this will not work out. I also understand Rot-Weiss Essen if those responsible are now looking at other options