A transfer to the Italian champions AC Milan has long been in the offing, and now FC Schalke 04 has made Malick Thiaw’s transfer official. The decision was not easy, it said in a club statement.
Malick Thiaw is leaving FC Schalke 04 after seven years together. The central defender came to the Ruhr area as a youth player from Borussia Mönchengladbach, where he made his first professional experiences from then on. In the past season, as well as in the current one, the homegrown player was a regular in defense.
According to the announcement, Schalke 04 only approved the transfer to the top Italian club “due to the economically strong offer”. It is not known how high the transfer fee will be. Italian media recently reported around six million euros.
“With the proceeds from the transfer of Malick Thiaw, we were able to fulfill the financial premises that we had set ourselves before the transfer period. This gives us greater economic ability to act on other issues and challenges that we are still facing,” said Finance Director Christina Rühl Hammers.
FC Schalke wants to sign a new central defender
Sports director Rouven Schröder emphasized: “It was a difficult decision for us to let Malick go. He is a homegrown talent from the Knappenschmiede, has developed very well in recent years and would have been a sporting asset for our squad.” Milan had already asked last winter, but S04 still refused at the time. “The framework conditions are now different and financially so good that we have now approved the transfer.”
The centre-back, who signed with Milan until 2027, meanwhile thanked his training club. “I would like to expressly thank the Schalke fans, without whose support I would not have been able to go this way. Schalke 04 will always remain a special club for me, with which I will always remain connected,” said Thiaw in parting.
After the departure of the defender, Schalke now needs a new player for the headquarters. Rouven Schröder confirmed: “Our plan is for us to be active again in central defense on the transfer market in order to keep the competition in the squad as high as possible. We have good guys who want Malick’s place and will put up a tough fight. I’m confident that another player will be added shortly.”
According to reports, that could be Liverpool’s Sepp van den Berg, who held initial talks in Gelsenkirchen on Monday night.