1. FC Köln is separating the market for potential winter signings. One candidate: Michael Martin from SV Ried.

At the end of the first half of the season, 1. FC Köln was visibly on the gums. The billy goats were bothered by the tight schedule and ongoing injury problems - Steffen Baumgart admitted after the last game at Hertha BSC that his players were "through". "In the second half, the only one who was relatively fit was me," he said. "The boys may have listened, but nothing worked."

After just one point from the last five league games, the relegation zone is also threateningly close again: only three points on the relegation rank or four points in 17th place are the billy goats currently ahead - the look must be clearly directed downwards.

In order to avoid the worst case of a long and exhausting relegation battle, the squad should be strengthened accordingly in winter. The name Davie Selke haunts the cathedral city for the storm, but a new man could also come in midfield. According to Sky, Michael Martin has aroused Effzeh's interest.

The 22-year-old played for FC Heidenheim and VfL Bochum in his youth and has been under contract with the Austrian Bundesliga club SV Ried since this season. Martin, who prefers to play in central midfield, is the undisputed regular there. His market value is estimated at Transfermarkt at 400,000 euros, so his transfer should also be manageable for the billy goats.

This article was originally published on 90min.com/de as Winter transfer: 1. FC Köln looks to SV Ried.