Focus on Leeds as club search for replacement – January planning moving forwards

FC Köln are targeting Leeds striker Lukas Nmecha as a replacement for injured Thijs Dallinga, with his contract expiring next summer.

FC Köln are searching for a new striker in January after Thijs Dallinga suffered a torn cruciate ligament that will sideline him for the rest of the season. Director of football Thomas Kessler has identified Leeds United's Lukas Nmecha as a primary target, with the Bundesliga club focusing their attention on the Premier League.

Nmecha's contract at Elland Road expires next summer, making a permanent deal more likely than a loan. Köln would need to negotiate terms with Leeds, as any loan arrangement would likely require an obligation to buy. This is the second time Nmecha has been directly linked with a German club, and Köln's urgent need for a striker replacement means they are expected to move quickly in the January window.