Key Points
- FC Köln are considering a late move for Crystal Palace left-back Borna Sosa before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
- The Croatia international is no longer part of Crystal Palace’s plans and is seeking regular playing time elsewhere.
- Köln are also close to agreeing a loan deal for Tottenham Hotspur winger Mikey Moore.
- Sosa played for VfB Stuttgart before joining Ajax for a reported €8 million in 2023.
- Following a loan spell at Torino, Sosa moved to Crystal Palace last summer for a reported €2.3 million fee and has made 18 appearances for the club.
Crystal Palace (South London News) August 31, 2026 –As reported by Sky Germany, German Bundesliga outfit 1. FC Köln are weighing up a late offer to sign Crystal Palace left-back Borna Sosa before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
The Croatia international has found himself outside the primary first-team setup at Selhurst Park. In order to secure consistent first-team action, the defender is open to departing the Premier League side. According to the reporting by Sky Germany, negotiations and internal assessments are underway in Cologne to determine whether a deal can be completed in time.
Which other Premier League talent are 1. FC Köln actively pursuing?
Beyond their approach for Sosa, 1. FC Köln are also pursuing reinforcements elsewhere in London. As noted in the reporting by Sky Germany, the German club are concurrently working on another potential deal from the English top flight and are close to finalising a loan move for Tottenham Hotspur winger Mikey Moore.
If both transfers are finalized prior to the deadline, Köln will secure two major Premier League additions to strengthen their squad for the current campaign.
What is Borna Sosa’s historical record in the Bundesliga and across Europe?
Borna Sosa is well acquainted with German football, having built his international reputation in the Bundesliga during a successful stint with VfB Stuttgart. He made over 100 appearances for Stuttgart after joining from Dinamo Zagreb in 2018.
As covered in reporting by Sky Germany, Sosa’s impressive crossing numbers and defensive displays for Stuttgart earned him a high-profile move to Dutch giants Ajax in 2023 for a reported transfer fee of €8 million.
Following a subsequent loan spell in Italy with Serie A club Torino, the left-back secured a permanent transfer to Crystal Palace in the summer of 2025 for a reported fee of €2.3 million. Since arriving in South London, the Croatian international has registered 18 appearances across all competitions for the Eagles.
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Background of the particular development
Borna Sosa’s career path has been defined by notable individual performances across several top European leagues. Raised in Dinamo Zagreb’s academy, Sosa made his senior debut in 2015 before making his move to VfB Stuttgart in 2018. During his five seasons in Germany, his delivery from wide areas led to multi-assist seasons and international recognition, leading to his debut for the Croatia national team in 2021.
His €8 million transfer to Ajax in September 2023 was intended to solidify his place in European competition, but structural changes within the Dutch club led to a temporary move to Torino for the 2024–25 season.
Crystal Palace stepped in during the 2025 summer window to bring the defender to the Premier League on a three-year contract. However, competition within the squad has limited his regular starts, opening the door for 1. FC Köln to offer a return to the Bundesliga where Sosa previously enjoyed the most productive period of his domestic career.
Prediction: How this development can affect the clubs and players involved
If 1. FC Köln successfully complete the signing of Borna Sosa alongside Tottenham’s Mikey Moore, the development will significantly bolster the German club’s tactical flexibility. Sosa’s proven delivery from the left flank offers Köln an immediate wide attacking outlet, whilst Moore’s youth and pace provide directness on the wing.
For Borna Sosa, moving back to Germany offers the consistent playing time required to maintain his standing within the Croatia national team setup.
For Crystal Palace, sanctioning Sosa’s exit allows the club to streamline their wages and squad size before the transfer window closes, providing space for existing options in defense while allowing a senior international to seek regular football elsewhere.
