Will Marius Bülter actually switch from FC Schalke 04 to TSG 1899 Hoffenheim after the numerous speculations of the past few days? The short answer: maybe yes. But S04 sports director André Hechelmann emphasized that there is still a lot to do and gave an insight into poker for the coveted attacker.
André Hechelmann has only recently been sporting director at FC Schalke 04 and yet he is already right in the middle of it and intensively involved with numerous topics. The 38-year-old has now commented on the status of Marius Bülter, who was last said to want to leave the Royal Blues. Hechelmann had to grudgingly confirm this rumor as one of two.
“We hoped that we could persuade him to stay. Now the situation has changed a bit,” the sports director, who has been active since the beginning of June, is quoted as saying by the “kicker”. Apparently, however, it was not Bülter himself who ruled out going to the 2nd Bundesliga with S04 for the rest of his career.
“The information that Marius wanted to stay in the 1st division came from management,” revealed Hechelmann. Bülter then “also deposited it afterwards”. Either way, a change seems inevitable. Especially since one of the many interested parties, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, has long been digging intensively at the 30-year-old.
FC Schalke 04 still “far away” from Bülter sale
“We are in talks, you can confirm that,” said the new sports director about speculation about a transfer to Kraichgau. According to Hechelmann, the talks are continuing, but: “We are far from talking about a finished contract.”
Poker with TSG is in an “initial stage” and Hoffenheim’s offer is “a little far removed” from the wishes of the S04 bosses.
Allegedly, Schalke are demanding five million euros for Bülter. However, Hechelmann did not want to confirm the traded figures.
Bülter’s contract with the first division relegated team runs until 2025. With eleven goals, the attacker was the top scorer for the Royal Blues last season.