IFK Göteborg Faces Potential Player Departures Amid Transfer Speculations

Adam Carlén is on his way out. But more players might leave Blåvitt during the summer.

– Numerically, we might have a few too many players, says IFK Göteborg's sports director Hannes Stiller, who also responds to new reports about a potential acquisition from an Allsvenskan rival.

IFK Göteborg went into the summer break ranked sixth in the Allsvenskan table.

And it's busy days for sports director Hannes Stiller ahead of the Allsvenskan restart against AIK on Sunday.

On Monday, the club's U21 team, bolstered with many first-team players, played a training match against Oddevold. They won 2–0, with trial players Peter Lazarus, 17, and Ifeoluwa Olowoporoku, 16, impressing.

“We Are a Few Too Many...”

The same day, Expressen reported that midfielder Adam Carlén is on his way to Dutch club Excelsior.

– He has an expiring contract, and I can understand that he is considering his situation. But from my perspective, he is a player I would have liked to keep. We'll see how it ends, says Stiller, confirming dialogue with another club regarding the transfer.

In the first team, only David Kruse is a “pure” number six alongside Carlén.

If he leaves, is it a position you need to strengthen this summer?

– We'll address that if it becomes necessary. We have players who can complement if needed. Many in the squad can play in different positions, we'll see how it develops, says Stiller.

Four players have expiring contracts at IFK Göteborg. Besides Adam Carlén, Eman Markovic, Gustav Svensson, and Hussein Carneil's contracts also expire at the end of the year.

More could leave, but it's far from certain that all will be replaced, according to Stiller.

– Numerically, we might have a few too many players if you assume a dream situation where everyone is healthy. At the same time, we've had injuries, for example, (Arbnor) Mucolli has had a long-term injury. But if everyone is healthy, we are a bit too many right now as I see it.

“I Don't Comment on Hammarby's Players”

A player who didn't get playing time in last week's training match against Öster (3–3) is left-back Anders Trondsen, who was already considered for a move to German club Braunschweig in the winter but chose to stay.

However, Stiller denies that Trondsen is on his way out now.

– He trained with the team this morning, so there's nothing strange. Maybe a minor issue or something. We'll see if he can play on Sunday.

During the day, Smålandsposten reported that IFK Göteborg is interested in Hammarby's offensive player Saidou Alioum, 21, who is currently on loan to Cypriot club Omonia Nicosia.

– As you say, he is Hammarby's player. And as usual, I don't comment on players who don't belong to us, says Stiller.

The Swedish transfer window for incoming signings opens on July 8.

Are you on track for when it opens?

– I think we are in a good position. We have a clear plan for what we want to do and are following it. The squad was well-balanced before spring, and that hasn't changed much. We can work with control, and we have good coverage in the positions. Even though football is a volatile industry, the situation feels stable.