The Gladbach pros celebrate the 1-0 goal against Hertha BSC on matchday 3 of the Bundesliga.Image: www.imago-images.de / imago images
Bundesliga
Under the leadership of Max Eberl, Borussia Mönchengladbach became a team that can beat even top teams. After more than a decade of his leadership, the 1Fohlen have re-established themselves in the top half of the table and even play regularly for the European Cup places.
The Gladbach fans were all the more disappointed when its managing director retired in January 2022 for health reasonsand all the more angry when he took over the same post at the investor club RB Leipzig less than a year later.
Eberl is currently putting together the second-round squad for Leipzig. As “Sport Bild” reports, he should also have an eye on a professional who he signed for Borussia von Toulouse two years ago. He was then loaned to his French home club for six months until the summer of 2021.
Big upheaval in the summer: Manu Koné is to inherit Konrad Laimer
Accordingly, Eberl is currently dealing with a commitment from Gladbach’s Manu Koné. The 21-year-old could succeed Konrad Laimer in Leipzig’s midfield, who will probably move to Bayern Munich on a free transfer in the summer. “Sport Bild” does not want to rule out the fact that Eberl will dare to commit the French in winter.
Manu Koné signed for Gladbach in January 2021.Image: www.imago-images.de / Treese
After all, a major upheaval at RB is imminent in the summer: In addition to Laimer, Christopher Nkunku will also leave the club. Defensive shooting star Joško Gvardiol and Dani Olmo could also leave. Eberl could be much more relaxed about the summer transfer window if he already had a replacement for midfield motor Laimer ready.
Konrad Laimer’s contract with RB Leipzig expires in the summer. Then he will probably switch to Bayern for free.Image: dpa / Jan Woitas
Bayern, PSG and Liverpool are also interested: Koné is significantly more expensive this time
However, a Koné transfer for lawn ball sports is likely to be expensive: The 21-year-old still has a contract in Gladbach until 2025 and a market value of around 25 million euros. For comparison: Two years ago – when the then Gladbach boss Eberl Koné lost from FC Toulouse – it only cost nine million euros.
In the last year and a half, the Frenchman has blossomed into a top performer in Gladbach, in the first half of the season he only missed a yellow card against Union. In the summer of 2022, he was therefore allowed to play for the French U21 selection for the first time.
Accordingly, Leipzig would also have plenty of well-known and financially strong competition in the courtship of Koné. In addition to PSG, Liverpool and Newcastle United, FC Bayern should also have the midfielder on their list.
Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp must have been impressed by Koné’s performance.Image: Press Association / Peter Powell
The only advantage for Leipzig: Since lawn ball sport sees itself well positioned in the run-up to the second half of the season, not many transfers are planned. So Eberl can focus his transfer activities on Koné.
