Rani Khedira: Union Berlin midfielder linked with surprise move to FC Koln

Rani Khedira, the Tunisia- and Germany-qualified midfielder currently at Union Berlin, is being linked with a move to Bundesliga rivals 1.FC Koln. The 32-year-old defensive midfielder is understood to be on Koln’s shortlist as they look to add experience and depth at the base of their midfield ahead of the new campaign.

Khedira has been a mainstay in the Bundesliga for more than a decade, amassing 287 appearances in Germany’s top flight and bringing significant know-how in a holding role. His current market value is estimated at around €2m, a figure that would make him a comparatively affordable option for a domestic transfer between two clubs operating outside the league’s highest spending bracket.

The Stuttgart-born midfielder joined Union Berlin from Augsburg on a free transfer in July 2021 and has since been part of the club’s rise onto the European stage, featuring in the Bundesliga as well as in the Europa League and Champions League. His time in Berlin has added continental experience to a career already grounded in regular domestic action.

For Koln, the attraction lies in Khedira’s established record of consistency and his familiarity with the league’s demands. Union, meanwhile, would have to weigh up the value of a fee against the cost of losing an experienced figure in the centre of the pitch.

Khedira’s contract situation at Union has not been publicly clarified, leaving room for negotiations over both a transfer fee and the structure of any potential deal as discussions around his future continue.