Schalke 04 wants to use the winter transfer period to bring in players, but also to sell them. As things stand, however, nothing will be implemented before the end of the year.
The internal analysis of the first half of the season has confirmed that FC Schalke 04 will have to strengthen individual parts of the team during this winter transfer period. It would be particularly important to bring in a striker, if only with a view to the squad’s width. If possible, this striker should not have to be trained first, but should function as an immediate aid. Talks to this effect have been going on for some time.
The Königsblauen squad planners also see a need on both flanks. On the left, because a suitable backup for regular Thomas Ouwejan is missing, on the right, because neither Reinhold Ranftl nor Mehmet Aydin have been able to convince over a longer period of time. An additional competitor could increase performance.
Calhanoglu, Becker and Wouters candidates for departure
It is likely that the club will also part with players in the near future. Kerim Calhanoglu is considered a candidate, but so is Timo Becker, who now only trains with the U23s. “He has always put himself at the service of the club,” emphasises sporting director Rouven Schröder, but in sporting terms the defender has been sidelined in recent months.
A transfer could also be in the offing for Dries Wouters. Neither he nor Schalke can be satisfied with the cooperation so far, the defensive player, who arrived on a free transfer from Genk in the summer, is still lagging far behind. The plan is for Wouters to fly along to the training camp in Belek (Turkey) on 3 January, but it is also conceivable that a farewell will emerge in the course of January. The 24-year-old Belgian signed a contract at Schalke in July that is valid until 2024.
Several transfer activities are therefore imminent, but decisive movement will probably only occur after the turn of the year. The Königsblauen would be prepared if a quick solution had to be found, but internally they are expecting nothing more to happen this calendar year. Schröder appeared relaxed in a media round on Tuesday: “We have the whole of January to do it.
