After Koffi Kouao’s move from FC Metz to FC Schalke 04 fell through on the home straight, the Knappen are said to have wasted no time and immediately reoriented themselves. Apparently another player from the French Ligue 1 has become the focus of the Royal Blues: Fabien Centonze from FC Nantes.
Koffi Kouao from FC Metz was the player that FC Schalke 04 had actually chosen as their desired new signing for the right side of the defense. The Ivorian was already in Gelsenkirchen to complete the medical check – then Dinamo Zagreb intervened and successfully lured Kouao to Croatia, much to the chagrin of S04.
However, the sudden transfer setback at Schalke did not slow them down for long; the Royal Blues are said to have already started negotiations with Fabien Centonze. “Le Parisien”, “Sky” and the “Ruhr Nachrichten” report this unanimously.
The 28-year-old Frenchman is currently only a substitute at FC Nantes, but has recently been used more frequently and can look back on 127 competitive games in Ligue 2 (3 goals/5 assists) as well as 109 games in the French top flight (5 goals/4 Templates).
FC Schalke 04 is not (yet) negotiating a purchase option
According to reports, Schalke is aiming for a loan, but a purchase option is not currently part of the negotiations. Instead, the focus is on the distribution of salary costs, which S04 would prefer not to cover in full, it is said.
According to “transfermarkt.de”, Schalke won’t exactly bring a simple professional into their ranks if their recruitment is successful. Centonze is said to have a “difficult character,” according to the portal. His lack of playing time in the first half of the season is also said to have resulted from a dispute with former coach Pierre Aristouy.
Centonze’s contract in Nantes does not end until summer 2027.