Ellyes Skhiri Set for Potential Return to Cologne Amid Salary Negotiations
Cologne and Eintracht Frankfurt have reportedly come to an agreement over the transfer of Ellyes Skhiri back to his former Bundesliga club, marking a surprising turnaround from a situation that seemed to have reached a standstill only weeks ago. According to Sport Bild, both clubs have settled on the terms for the 31-year-old midfielder, with the final hurdle being Skhiri’s salary demand. Cologne is said to be willing to offer the Tunisia international around €1.5 million per year. Skhiri currently ranks among the higher earners at Frankfurt and has yet to agree to the proposed terms.
Get German Football News reported in late July that Skhiri had received clearance to seek a transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt. The midfielder did not participate in Adi Hütter’s training camp after being informed he was no longer a key part of the club’s future plans. Initially, a return to Köln appeared to be the most logical choice. However, that option soon looked unviable.
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GGFN reported that during Köln’s search for Wolfsburg’s Vinicius Souza, Skhiri was dropped from their options at the RheinEnergieStadion. Köln decided to explore other alternatives for René Wagner’s midfield. This stance was reinforced when GGFN reported on Sevilla’s interest in Skhiri, leading Köln to believe their pursuit was over.
Salary remains obstacle to Ellyes Skhiri Cologne reunion
Skhiri’s return could fill a critical gap in Köln’s midfield, where Tom Krauß, Ísak Jóhannesson, and summer signing Paul Okon-Engstler currently serve as the primary options under Wagner. The experienced player is well-acquainted with the club, having joined Köln from Montpellier for around €6 million in 2019, where he became a key player. Over his tenure, he made 133 competitive appearances and tallied 28 goals before leaving for Frankfurt on a free transfer in 2023.
Since his move, Skhiri has played 117 matches for Eintracht, although his role diminished last season. The arrival of Raphael Onyedika and Noël Aséko has further limited his playing time under Hütter. Skhiri now enters the final year of his contract with SGE, and the RheinMainAdler seek to profit from the 86-times capped international, who retains an estimated market value of €5 million. While the two clubs have agreed on the transfer terms, Skhiri will need to adjust his salary expectations to complete the move.
Cologne and Eintracht Frankfurt have reportedly reached an agreement over the transfer of Ellyes Skhiri back to his old Bundesliga club, dramatically reviving a return that appeared to have been abandoned only weeks ago. Sport Bild reports the two Bundesliga clubs have settled the terms of a deal for the 31-year-old midfielder. The remaining obstacle is Skhiri’s salary demand. Cologne are reportedly prepared to offer the Tunisia international approximately €1.5m per year. Skhiri currently ranks among Frankfurt’s higher earners and has yet to accept the proposed terms.
Get German Football News reported in late July that Skhiri had been granted permission to negotiate a departure from Eintracht Frankfurt. The midfielder was omitted from Adi Hütter’s training-camp squad after being informed that he no longer featured prominently in the club’s plans. A return to Köln initially appeared one of the most logical solutions. That option subsequently seemed dead, however.
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GGFN reported during Köln’s pursuit of Wolfsburg midfielder Vinicius Souza that Skhiri was no longer considered an option at the RheinEnergieStadion. Köln had elected to explore alternative solutions for René Wagner’s midfield instead. That position was reinforced again only recently when GGFN covered Sevilla’s emerging interest in Skhiri. At that stage, Köln were understood to have dropped their pursuit entirely.
Salary remains obstacle to Ellyes Skhiri Cologne reunion
Skhiri’s return would address an obvious need in Köln’s midfield, where Tom Krauß, Ísak Jóhannesson and summer signing Paul Okon-Engstler currently represent Wagner’s main central options. The veteran already knows the club exceptionally well. Skhiri joined Köln from Montpellier for approximately €6m in 2019 and developed into one of their most important players. He made 133 competitive appearances for the club and contributed to 28 goals before departing for Frankfurt on a free transfer in 2023.
Skhiri has since made 117 appearances for Eintracht, although his role declined last season. The additions of Raphael Onyedika and Noël Aséko have further reduced his prospects under Hütter. Skhiri also enters the final year of his SGE contract. The RheinMainAdler remain eager to cash in on the 86-times-capped international, who still maintains a €5m estimated market value. The two clubs have ironed out the terms of the transfer. Skhiri will still have to lower his salary expectations in order to facilitate the move.
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