Three German clubs keep tabs on Köln’s Linton Maina | OneFootball

Sport Bild reports that two current Bundesliga sides are looking to sign FC Köln’s Linton Maina on a free transfer when his contract expires. The 25-year-old is once again a sought-after commodity after playing a stellar season for the cathedral city side. Currently out with an ankle injury, Maina has scored five goals and contributed 12 assists in 28 appearances for Köln across all competitions this year.

The report suggests that top tier sides Borussia Mönchengladbach and Mainz 05 are interested. Maina has also frequently been linked with Werder Bremen in the past. Sport Bild also notes that current 2. Bundesliga leaders Hamburg also maintain interest. Maina could also play in the top division for Köln next year as they occupy the second automatic promotion slot just behind HSV.

Maina is by no means a stranger to Germany’s top flight. After joining Köln on a free from Hannover 96 in summer 2022, Maina went on to make 64 Bundesliga appearances for die Gießböcke over the course of the 2022/23 and 2023/24 campaigns. He also appeared in the Bundesliga 22 times for Hannover during the 2017/18 and 2018/19 seasons.

It nevertheless generally remained the consensus that the Germany U20 international never really possessed the skills to compete at the top level. He frequently floundered for his two Bundesliga clubs, both of whom were eventually relegated. Opinion on Maina appears to have shifted, in part because his availability on an expiring contract constitutes a no-cost, no-risk option.

GGFN | Peter Weis