Only one club has ever been more active in the winter transfer market than FC Augsburg this year. The reasons for the mini upheaval in the middle of the season.
Augsburg’s newcomer Arne Engels shines as a strong and courageous six.
IMAGO/Sven Simon
Laughing, Stefan Reuter recently told a story after the FC Augsburg training camp, even if the message was meant quite seriously. “Don’t come back until you’ve got both of them safe!”
Reuter, Managing Director Sport, said these words to his closest colleague Michael Ströll, Managing Director Finance. Ströll was to leave the training camp in Spain to fly to Croatia and bring two players with him to Augsburg.
He fulfilled the task, within a few hours FCA announced the signing of 20-year-old striker Dion Beljo from NK Osijek and the transfer of 22-year-old full-back David Colina from Hajduk Split. Beljo cost 3 million euros, Colina 300,000. For Arne Engels, the first new signing of the winter, Bruges had previously had around 100,000 euros transferred.
Three new ones, 3.4 million euros. Is it enough for January? “You shouldn’t rule out anything,” said Reuter with a smile and didn’t lie. On the contrary: he had only just started.
Seven new ones for around four million euros
Engels, Colina and Beljo were followed by Irvin Cardona (25, attacker, Stade Brest, €500,000), Kelvin Yeboah (22, attacker, CFC Genoa, free loan with option to buy) and last but not least Nathanael Mbuku (20 , wing off., Stade Reims, free transfer) and Renato Veiga (19, midfield def., Sporting B, 200,000 euros loan fee with purchase option). Makes seven new ones for around four million euros.
These investments were made possible by Carlos Gruezo, who returned to Augsburg after the World Cup elimination with Ecuador and asked to change clubs. The FCA ultimately negotiated the fee for the San Jose Earthquakes from 2.2 to 3 million euros. In addition, Lukas Petkov (Fürth), Raphael Framberger (Sandhausen) and Frederik Winther (Brondby) went on loan for around 300,000 euros. And Florian Niederlechner switched to Hertha BSC for around 400,000 euros.
Cordova in MLS for two million euros?
As the kicker learned, Sergio Cordova should return to the MLS in the coming days and bring in another two million euros. In total – planned for possible bonuses at Beljo and Co. – a surplus of around one million euros.
A mini upheaval in the middle of the season? Only Schalke once brought in more players (8) under Felix Magath in the winter of 2009/10 than FCA this year. In the past five January change periods, Augsburg has not signed as many players as now. Although last year Ricardo Pepi came from FC Dallas for 16 million euros. A hitherto very expensive misunderstanding.
Now the FCA wants to take a new path. On average, the seven newcomers are just 21 years old, but only Engels – the previous high-flyer – and Veiga had no previous professional experience. Colina came in almost 100 first division games in Croatia, Mbuku, just 20 years young, at least a whopping 80 Ligue 1 appearances. Because the lightning-fast winger didn’t want to extend his contract in Reims, the Augsburg team struck free of charge half a year earlier.
Engels shines as a brave six
Those responsible believe that Mbuku, Colina or Engels can make an immediate impact, and Engels has already impressively demonstrated it in the previous three league games. The young Belgian, actually brought in as a right winger, shone as a strong and courageous six alongside Elvis Rexhbecaj.
The Augsburg game should be faster and more attractive
On the one hand, the flood of transfers is a change of strategy. Away from more static players like Finnbogason or Niederlechner, towards more dynamic and stronger players like Berisha or Dorsch. The Augsburg game should be faster and more attractive.
On the other hand, the new way of getting players with resale value is also a reaction to the first half of the season. Again and again players were suspended or injured. In the first game of the new year in Dortmund (3:4) Ruben Vargas and Cardona were hit again. And on Friday against Leverkusen (8.30 p.m., LIVE! on kicker), Ermedin Demirovic is a player suspended for the sixth time.
Maassen’s wishes were fulfilled
With Yeboah, Beljo and Mbuku, coach Enrico Maassen now has numerous alternatives on offense alone. The coach had already wished for more reinforcements in the summer and has now had many wishes fulfilled. Now it’s also up to him to get at least a relegation out of a renewed squad.
