VfL Wolfsburg will sign Sael Kumbedi as their new right-back. After the deal with Milan van Ewijk fell through, Kumbedi will soon join from Olympique Lyon. And there may be more good news for coach Paul Simonis.
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Kumbedi will undergo his medical in Wolfsburg on Wednesday and, the young right-back will initially join the Bundesliga side on a season-long loan from Olympique Lyon for a fee of one million euros. Crucially, the agreement also includes a mandatory purchase clause set at six million euros, meaning Wolfsburg are effectively committing to make the transfer permanent next summer.
For Wolfsburg, the signing of Sael Kumbedi represents not only a reinforcement in a position that has been problematic in recent months, but also an investment in one of the brightest young full-backs in European football. At just 20 years old, the Frenchman has already accumulated significant top-level experience. Since breaking through at Lyon, he has made 62 appearances for the club across all competitions, showing his ability to adapt to the demands of Ligue 1 and European football. Before his time at Lyon, Kumbedi developed at Le Havre, a club with a strong reputation for nurturing young talent, having previously produced stars like Paul Pogba, Dimitri Payet, and Riyad Mahrez. Wolfsburg are clearly betting on Kumbedi’s potential to grow into a key figure for the team both in the short and long term.
The club’s activity on the transfer market is not expected to stop there. Reports suggest that another defensive reinforcement could soon arrive, with Wolfsburg targeting Senegalese centre-back Sadibou Sané from FC Metz. The 21-year-old has been on the radar of several clubs, including some in France, but Wolfsburg appear to be moving decisively with an official offer of eight million euros. This push for Sané comes after a major setback for the club: summer signing Denis Vavro suffered a serious injury that will keep him sidelined at least until the winter break. Vavro had been brought in to strengthen the heart of Wolfsburg’s defence, and his absence has forced the club’s management to accelerate the search for alternatives. Sané, with his physical presence, aerial strength, and promising upside, has become one of the top names on Wolfsburg’s wishlist.
If both deals are completed, Wolfsburg’s backline could look very different from last season, offering coach Paul Simonis a blend of youthful energy and long-term stability. Kumbedi would provide pace and attacking support down the right flank, while Sané could step in as a commanding presence in central defence.
However, incoming transfers might be accompanied by departures. David Odogu, a defender with limited opportunities at the club, is reportedly attracting strong interest from Belgian giants Anderlecht. The player is keen to secure more regular playing time and is pushing for a move. Meanwhile, Moritz Jenz has also expressed his desire to explore options elsewhere. Yet Wolfsburg’s coach Paul Simonis is reluctant to let Jenz leave, as he sees the defender as an important piece of his defensive setup. Jenz’s situation therefore remains uncertain, with his future likely to depend on further negotiations and the outcome of Wolfsburg’s incoming business.
This summer’s transfer window has underlined Wolfsburg’s determination to reshape their squad and give Simonis the tools to compete at a higher level in the Bundesliga. The club endured an inconsistent campaign last season, often struggling defensively against stronger opponents. Strengthening the backline has therefore become the number one priority, and the signings of Kumbedi and potentially Sané would be seen as significant steps in the right direction.
For Wolfsburg’s supporters, there is a sense of cautious optimism. The arrival of young, hungry talents suggests the club is thinking long-term, building a core of players who could develop together. At the same time, the financial outlay with millions committed in both loan and transfer fees – reflects a serious ambition to climb the Bundesliga table and challenge for European places again.
Whether all these moves will materialize before the transfer deadline remains to be seen, but it is clear that Wolfsburg are one of the busiest German clubs in this window. The coming days could be decisive, not only in terms of strengthening the squad but also in determining which players remain part of Simonis’s plans going into the new season.
