Malick Thiaw (20) was absent from Schalke’s training start on Wednesday. Since he was still on the road with the German U21 national team after promotion and the championship, he has special leave.
Will Thiaw use it to learn a little Italian?
According to BILD information, a transfer of the defense star to Serie A is becoming more and more likely. Because in addition to champions AC Milan, who already wanted him during the winter break, FC Torino (10th) and FC Bologna (13th) have now expressed their interest in royal blue.
Good for Schalke: Three Italo clubs want Thiaw!
This competition increases the chances for the clammy club to achieve more than the market value with Thiaw (contract until 2024/31 league games/2 goals).
According to transfermarkt.de, the German-Finn, who was willing to change, was the most valuable second division player last season with 6 million euros. Including the additional benefits that are usual with a long-term contract, Schalke can hope for a package of 8 million euros.
Thiaw in Italy’s Serie A – but the deal would also have a downside.
After Ko Itakura (25), the promoted would lose the second defensive ace and would need top-quality replacements for both. Because Marcin Kaminski (30) is considered too slow for the Bundesliga, the new defensive talents Ibrahima Cissé (21/KAA Gent U21) and Leo Greiml (20/Rapid Vienna) are probably not that far.
In any case, Ösi has to get fit again first. After a cruciate ligament rupture in October 2021, he is still training individually.
Nevertheless, if the bottom line is that the transfer is correct, there is no alternative to a Thiaw transfer. Schalke cannot afford to miss out on a good deal.
