Rasmus Carstensen: Cologne is separating, but where is the Dane going?

Rasmus Carstensen: Cologne is separating, but where is the Dane going?

Rasmus Carstensen faces an uncertain future at 1. FC Köln. The Danish footballer, who has been under contract with FC for two years, no longer seems to play a role during the upcoming start of training under coach Lukas Kwasniok. His club is expected to consider various options to get rid of the defensive player - be it through a sale, a loan with or without an option to buy. fussballtransfers.com reports that the club and Carstensen are dissatisfied with the cooperation so far and that the player will be able to prove himself again next week.

As a reminder: Carstensen played on loan at Lech Poznan in the second half of last season, where he was able to fight for a regular place and even became Polish champions with his team. Despite these successes, his playing time in Cologne was limited - just 28 games in two years is a measly record for a player who was once signed for 1.5 million euros from KRC Genk. Before he was loaned to Poland, he wasn't even on the pitch at FC. kicker.de shows that there were really high expectations of him, as Genk spent 3 million euros on him at the time, including a purchase option.

Entrances and expectations

Carstensen's return to Geißbockheim is not a good thing. The plans for the 1. FC Köln squad currently do not foresee a future for him. Sports director Thomas Kessler indicated that some FC players, including Carstensen, should find a new club as quickly as possible, but there is currently no market for the Dane. The club does not want to consider terminating the contract, so another loan seems most likely for both sides. fussballtransfers.com

Interestingly, according to reports, Carstensen also feels personally homesick and dreams of returning home. It is uncertain which direction the transfer period could take for him, but the options seem clearly defined: whether a loan with an option to buy or an obligation to buy for the receiving club - time is of the essence and the transfer period will not be boring. kicker.de

Transfer market situation

The current situation is a reminder of the dynamics in the entire transfer market, which is constantly changing. The recent trend shows that many clubs are looking for good deals. Although the Big Five leagues such as the English Premier League have invested immense amounts of money, the Bundesliga suffered a transfer deficit in the 2024/2025 season because expenses exceeded income. statista.com Shareholders like those of Bayern Munich are investing to maintain competitiveness, yet the market for players like Carstensen remains stuck.

It will be interesting to see how the next few weeks develop. It remains to be seen whether Rasmus Carstensen will soon find a new club or whether 1. FC Köln has a new plan for his squad. The only thing that is certain is that the player and the club are in a delicate situation.