Fulham defender needs to prove his worth

With parent club Cologne stating that he won’t be playing for them next season, will Sascha Riether remain at Craven Cottage?

Currently enjoying a season-long loan with Fulham, the right-back has until May to impress Martin Jol enough to make his move permanent.  Riether has featured regularly for the side since arriving in west London, having appeared in every Premier League game prior to missing this weekend’s draw at Norwich.  He has played 29 times for the club in all competitions and would surely be in favour of staying if they wanted him.

According to Sky Sports, Cologne executive Jorg Jakobs recently explained that Fulham have a buy-out option on the player but that he would still not be returning to the German club if that was not taken up.  The 29-year-old’s agent had a different understanding of the situation, whilst Cottagers manager Martin Jol expressed his desire to keep hold of Riether should his impressive performances continue.

Having been a prominent figure in Germany’s under-21 side between 2004 and 2006, Riether has twice represented his country at senior level.  A part of the Wolfsburg team that incredibly won the club’s first ever Bundesliga title in 2009, his latest experience in the German top flight was being relegated with Cologne.

Riether should have no problem finding a new team in the summer, but will Fulham decide to pay a transfer fee and sign him permanently?

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