With proceeds of over 70 million euros behind them, Red Bull Salzburg set a domestic record in the summer transfer window. The soccer series champion secured the services of the French U19 team captain Lucas Gourna-Douath for a reported 15 million euros. The competition can only marvel at such sums. In the past few weeks, Sturm Graz have been putting more breadth in the high-quality squad, while Rapid and Austria have made some major changes in Vienna.
In Salzburg, income of a dimension that is not common in this country had been announced. It had been clear for a long time that Germany’s team striker Karim Adeyemi would move to the top flight after scoring 19 goals last season. Borussia Dortmund transferred 30 million euros (without bonus payments) for the attacker. Salzburg earned no less with the departure of Brenden Aaronson to Leeds United (29.6 million). Brand. The 100 mark could be exceeded by the end of the European transfer window on August 31. That has never been the case in a summer at Salzburg. Defender Oumar Solet (Italy) and midfielder Mohamed Camara (England) have been considered replacement candidates for weeks. Coach Matthias Jaissle doesn’t seem concerned. A drop in quality is not expected. Gourna-Douath could fill Camara’s position. The 18-year-old has over 60 appearances in France’s Ligue 1 under his belt. In view of Adeyemi’s departure, Salzburg signed Brazilian Fernando from Shakhtar Donetsk in April. The 23-year-old is said to have cost six million euros, he impressed in the test matches with speed and playfulness.Sturm relies on a successful squadIn the “Vize” in Graz, Christian Ilzer can rely on regular staff. Sturm kept the troops together and got qualitative reinforcements for the squad width. Left-back David Schnegg and midfielders Tomi Horvat and Vesel Demaku should help immediately, central defender Dominik Oroz needs time. It was “top priority” to keep the team, emphasized coach Ilzer. With the newcomers, “the dynamic in the squad has been preserved.” Third-placed Austria can plan with a European group stage and invested in their squad. Second division top scorer Haris Tabakovic came on a free transfer from Austria Lustenau as the top striker, while the Violetten invested over a million euros in Marko Raguz, another center forward. The attacker who was iced out by LASK is not yet an issue due to his knee problems. For Patrick Pentz, who is now a French legionnaire and left Austria after the end of his contract, Christian Früchtl came from FC Bayern to Vienna favorites. Austria has made a total of nine transfers so far. Rapid was not inferior. Ten new players face eight departures. Goals are to be scored by returnee Guido Burgstaller, and the Hütteldorfers have also drawn the option to buy Dutchman Ferdy Druijf. Michael Sollbauer is the new chief of defense, and former Klagenfurt Patrick Greil is expected to bring in creative elements in midfield. The former German youth team player Nicolas Kühn should shine on the wing. Sports director Zoran Barisic spoke of a “complete reorganization” of the team. “Everything has to be put together now so that everything slides.” WAC without Liendl At WAC, which is also starting in the qualification for the Conference League, the farewell to Michael Liendl was the predominant topic. The game designer was drawn to the GAK at the end of his career. Goalkeeper Alexander Kofler hung up his shoes. Youngsters such as U21 team goalkeeper Lukas Gütlbauer, U19 captain Ervin Omic and Thierno Ballo have joined Wolfsberg. The 20-year-old came from Chelsea, in the previous season he was not happy with Rapid. Behind the top five in the league last season was promoted Austria Klagenfurt. The Carinthians lost their regulars in Greil, Turgay Gemicibasi and Alex Timossi Andersson. The WSG Tirol has to replace the 19-time goalscorer Giacomo Vrioni. The Argentinian Lautaro Rinaldi should close the gap, and the Slovenian Nik Prelec from Sampdoriagenau was committed as a threader. Monschein is Ried’s new hope After a disappointing season, LASK wants to get started. Linz sharpened the attack with Robert Zulj, the Greek Efthymios Koulouri and the Croatian Marin Ljubicic. Nemanja Celic, Philipp Ziereis and Filip Stojkovic should be fixed sizes in midfield and up front. At local rival Ried, Christoph Monschein is the new hope in attack. Hartberg is starting the season with little change, at Altach coach Miroslav Klose is looking for a breath of fresh air. Promoted Lustenau hopes to be able to absorb the departures of the offensive duo Tabakovic/Mohammed Cham. Austro-French Anthony Schmid, who moved west from former second division rivals FAC, is to score the goals.
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