Slowly but surely, things are getting serious for the footballers of SV Guntamatic Ried, who are currently in the fifth week of preparation for the 2024/2025 season. The Rieders will start with the cup match at the Vorarlberg regional league club Röthis on Sunday, July 28th. In the second division, the goal is clear thanks to a self-proclaimed “two-year plan”: a return to the Bundesliga. However, there might still be some changes in terms of personnel. Fabian Wohlmuth, who moved from Lafnitz to Innviertel on a free transfer a year ago, is likely to be in high demand. Wolfsberger AC is said to be very interested in signing him, the OÖN has already reported. The player, who according to Wolfgang Fiala, Managing Director of Sport, still has a contract with SV Ried until 2026, is likely to be a dream player for WAC coach Dietmar Kühbauer. Wohlmuth, who attracted attention last season with consistently good performances and was also part of the U-21 national team, would like to move to the Bundesliga – that is an open secret. The OÖN sent the 22-year-old’s agent an email asking for a statement. However, this has so far remained unanswered.
Whether it’s WAC or perhaps another club: anyone who wants Wohlmuth will have to dig deep into their pockets for a second division player. No detailed figures have been given, but the transfer fee is likely to be around 750,000 euros. The Innviertlers have never sold a player for so much in their club’s history. Wohlmuth is not only a concern for Fiala, but also for the board, including President Thomas Gahleitner. “The plan is clear: we have brought in Fabian Wohlmuth because we believe that he can help us significantly with promotion. If a certain If a transfer fee is promised, then we would think regarding selling. I don’t know why we should sell Fabian Wohlmuth cheaply,” says Gahleitner. He also said this to the WAC president in a conversation. We are not a savings club, but a sports club and we want to get back into the Bundesliga,” says Gahleitner, who praises Wohlmuth in an interview with OÖN: “Wohlmuth performed superbly last season and he is very well respected by his colleagues.” There is no “pressure to sell,” emphasizes sports director Fiala, who certainly has a replacement for Wohlmuth in reserve. In any case, there would be enough money in the club’s coffers to sign him.
Image: APA/EXPA/REINHARD EISENBAUER
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Image: APA/EXPA/REINHARD EISENBAUER
Wohlmuth is not the only player to have aroused the interest of other clubs. Belmin Beganovic is also likely to be on the radar of several clubs at home and abroad. The 19-year-old has a contract with SV Ried until 2026. Beganovic only played the full 90 minutes five times last season, mainly due to injuries. Due to his enormous speed – Beganovic is possibly the fastest player in Austrian professional football – the 19-year-old is in demand. According to OÖN information, Beganovic has an exit clause. This means that he, like Arjan Malic (who moved to Sturm Graz for around half a million euros, editor’s note), might leave the club for a fixed transfer fee. However, nothing is likely to be concrete yet. The transfer window closes at the end of August.