Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Bundesliga boss discusses Chelsea's pursuit of £20m star: We are open to talks
FC KOLN manager Peter Stoger admits his side are willing to open talks with Chelsea for defender Jonas Hector.
Koln willing to open talks with Chelsea for Jonas Hector
The Times reported earlier this week that Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has set his sights on Hector as he looks to provide competition for Marcos Alonso at left-back.
The 26-year-old was heavily linked with £20million moves to Chelsea and Liverpool in the summer after impressing at Euro 2016 with Germany.
He instead signed a new contract at the Bundesliga club until 2021, but Chelsea are reportedly keen to renew their interest this month.
Chelsea target Jonas Hector happy to stay at Koln
Stoger admits Koln are willing to talk to clubs for Hector, but insists the defender has not expressed a desire to join Premier League leaders Chelsea.
The Koln boss said: "I would not say that any player of any club in the world is not for sale, but we have extended Jonas' contract.
Antonio Conte reportedly looking to provide competition for Marcos Alonso this month
"And I think the player is clear - he knows what he wants. If there is any club Jonas is interested in, then we would talk to them.
"But Jonas didn’t say that he wants to leave the club and go to Chelsea so it doesn’t matter.
“If someone wants to leave the club then we have to talk about it, but not before."