FC Schalke 04 is currently playing its best football right on time for the hot phase of the season. After the last five wins in a row, they are in first place, and direct promotion is within reach. It goes without saying that Schalke definitely want to keep their current guarantors of success at the club beyond the summer.
One of the most important building blocks in the current success construct under head coach Mike Büskens is Ko Itakura. Whether as a central defender or as a midfielder: the Japanese has had a formidable season at Schalke and has appeared in 27 league games for the Royal Blues so far.
Itakura is known to have been loaned out by Manchester City and, as of today, should actually leave the club at the end of the season.
FC Schalke around chief squad planner Rouven Schröder wants to keep his defensive stabilizer at the club and would like to sign Itakura on a permanent basis.
As “Sport Bild” has now revealed, FC Schalke still has until June 16 to make a final decision on the 14-time national player. Until then, the plan must be in place as to how a fixed Itakura transfer is to be financed.
In this case, Manchester City would have to pay 6.05 million euros. A trifle for the Cityzens, but a big transfer for the Gelsenkircheners.
If the sporting development of the 25-year-old at S04 continues at such a rapid pace, this investment seems unavoidable. After all: By the time the deadline expired on June 16, the decision had long been made as to whether the direct return of the Royal Blues to the Bundesliga actually worked.
Harit sale could bring FC Schalke the necessary money
Amine Harit, for example, could import the necessary small change for Itakura. According to sports director Rouven Schröder, the midfield star, who is currently on loan to Olympique Marseille, is to be sold because, with his annual salary of around five million euros, he would no longer fit into Schalke’s salary structure.
Finding a suitable buyer for Harit could, however, be more difficult than expected given these financial dimensions. In the case of the 24-year-old Moroccan, it may be months before a final decision can be made.