Rasmus Carstensen. — © Dick Demey
Genk –
Both players, who are on loan from KRC Genk this season, are doing well at their new club. FC Cologne has now decided to remove the purchase option from Rasmus Carstensen’s contract, and Elche also wants to sign Nicolas Castro permanently.
Rasmus Carstensen (23) was only the third choice as right back in the preparation for his second season at KRC Genk, after Munoz and Preciado. Because he only made four substitute appearances in his first year, the former Danish promising international was open to a loan. Especially when the candidate turned out to be Bundesliga club FC Cologne. The German club also enforced a purchase option, which was announced in February.
However, Cologne is in danger of relegation after 22 of the 34 matchdays. Carstensen and co are in 16th place, which at the end of the stage leads to a jump-off duel with the number three from the second Bundesliga. The gap with number 15 Mönchengladbach is already six points, while the lead over number 17 Mainz, which is in a relegation place, is barely one point.
Carstensen did not come off the bench for the first time in the past two weeks, having only missed 1 match due to injury and 1 due to suspension. In the other 18 games, Carstensen started 14 times as a right winger or right back and came on 4 times.
Nicolas Castro. — © BELGA
Elche wants to attract Castro
The loan of Nicolas Castro (23) to the Spanish second division club Elche also turned out to be a direct hit. The Argentinian midfielder was already overshadowed by Bilal El Khannouss last season, of 23 matches for KRC Genk he was in the starting line-up for only 3. At Elche, Castro is a permanent fixture with 16 starting places and 7 substitute appearances. He also provided three goals and two assists. As number 8, the Spanish club still has the prospect of a return to La Liga. Number 2 Eibar has 5 more points in a direct promotion spot, the gap with number 6 Valladolid (play-off place) is barely 1 point.
Elche wants to permanently release Castro, who visited his ex-teammates on the free afternoon during the training period in Benidorm, from KRC Genk. Negotiations between both clubs are ongoing.
Sor Wednesday with the group
In the meantime, Wouter Vrancken is preparing his team for Friday evening’s away match at Charleroi. On Tuesday, Yira Sor, for whom the match against RWDM came a little too early, still trained individually, but he is expected at group training on Wednesday. The transfer of Joseph Paintsil will normally be completed this week, the Ghanaian winger has now completed his medical and physical tests at LA Galaxy.