Cologne are closing in on the signing of Bologna striker Thijs Dallinga after reaching a full agreement with the Serie A club. According to Florian Plettenberg, the 26-year-old will initially join Köln on loan. The Bundesliga side have also secured a €11m purchase option, giving them the opportunity to make the Netherlands international’s move permanent next summer.
Only the final formalities remain. Dallinga must complete his medical and sign his contract before Köln can officially announce the transfer.The deal represents the culmination of a pursuit that has developed quickly. Get German Football Newsreported earlier this week that Cologne had moved ahead of Werder Bremen in the race for Dallinga. At that stage, no formal agreement with Bologna had yet been reached.
Dallinga moved to Italy from Toulouse for approximately €16m in 2024, but has struggled to replicate his Ligue 1 goalscoring record. He scored five times in 54 Serie A appearances for Bologna after previously registering 26 league goals across his final two seasons in France.
Cologne nevertheless have good reason to seek another proven centre-forward option. Ragnar Ache emerged as one of their most important attacking players last season, with GGFN’sFebruary relegation analysis highlighting the striker’s ability to compensate for Köln’s recurring problems creating consistent service into the penalty area.
Dallinga would give head coach René Wagner another natural No. 9 and greater flexibility in attack while reducing the burden on Ache. For the Dutch striker, meanwhile, the move offers an opportunity to revive his career in Germany after two difficult seasons in Italy.
Provided the medical proceeds without complications, Cologne are now positioned to complete one of their most significant attacking additions of the summer.