Cologne look to loan out Makino

Cologne defender Tomoaki Makino may be loaned out for financial reasons during the January transfer window.

“We don’t have any room in the budget for transfers,” Cologne sporting director Volker Finke told Express on Monday.

“We can only spend if we create income.”

Makino’s spell in Germany has been disappointing to date.

Since joining the club last winter he has only made eight appearances, three of which have been in the past month.

The former Sanfrecce Hiroshima man is a regular in the Japanese national team, but has struggled to find a place in the starting line-up because of a lack of match practice.

“We’re looking for a club for Makino where he can catch up on playing experience for six months,” Finke said.

“But there’s still some work needed to be done.”

One club reportedly interested in the 24-year-old is Japanese side Urawa Reds, who finished 15th in this year’s J-League season.

Such a move would benefit Makino as he would be reunited with former Sanfrecce Hiroshima manager Mihailo Petrovic.

Finke also has a connection to the Reds, having managed the club in 2009 and 2010.