By Kwame Bediako
Ghana defender Gideon Mensah is close to joining FC Köln on a free transfer, with reports saying the Bundesliga club has made strong progress in talks and already reached personal terms with the 27-year-old left-back.
The move would come after Mensah’s contract at AJ Auxerre expired, leaving him available without a transfer fee.
FC Köln are reportedly moving quickly to strengthen their left side of defence, and Mensah has emerged as a leading target after his standout performances for Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
German reports say the final details could be wrapped up by the weekend if negotiations continue on their current path.
Mensah’s appeal is clear: he is an experienced international who has been a regular at club and national-team level, and his free-agent status makes the deal financially attractive for Köln.
Reports also suggest the club views him as a possible replacement for departing left-sided options as they plan for the new season.
The transfer is not yet officially completed, but the tone of the reporting suggests a deal is increasingly likely rather than speculative. If finalized, it would add another Ghanaian presence to one of Europe’s most competitive leagues.