Beşiktaş Increases Bid for Mert Kömür Amid Player Transactions, Arne Maier Set for Departure

Florian Plettenberg reports that Beşiktaş has increased their previous offer for Augsburg attacker Mert Kömür to €12 million. The Bundesliga club is still deliberating on this unexpected proposal, as they have two other transactions to finalize by tomorrow. Plettenberg notes that internal discussions regarding Kömür are ongoing at FC Augsburg.

Assuming the 19-year-old passes his scheduled medical examination, 19-year-old Nigerian striker Uchenna Ogunda is expected to be unveiled as a new signing for Augsburg on Sunday. The club has already secured veteran striker Michael Gregoritsch and 20-year-old forward Rodrigo Ribeiro on loan during this transfer window. Additionally, defensive reinforcements Yannik Keitel from Stuttgart and Arthur Chaves from Hoffenheim have also joined Augsburg on loan.

Multiple football media sources are reporting that former Germany U21 captain and Olympic representative Arne Maier is set to leave the club. Kicker and other outlets confirm that the 27-year-old is returning to his former coach Pal Dardai at Ujpest Budapest in Hungary, where Dardai has recently taken on the role of sporting director.

Maier was once a prominent midfielder in the German league, amassing 184 Bundesliga appearances over a decade-long career with Hertha, Augsburg, and Arminia Bielefeld. Augsburg previously signed Maier for €5 million, and he was a regular player for the team until last season.

However, Maier’s role at Augsburg has diminished over the past two years, partly due to the emergence of players like Kömür, which has led to no discussions regarding the renewal of his expiring contract.

Despite maintaining an estimated market value of €2 million, it remains uncertain whether Augsburg will receive any financial compensation for Maier.