Will FC Schalke 04 strengthen their offense again before the transfer window ends? After the loan of center forward Michael Frey, the Royal Blues apparently want to bring in a winger. According to Portuguese ‘A Bola’, S04 are in the running for Joelson Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon along with FC Utrecht.
The 19-year-old right-footer is in the final months of his contract and is available on a free transfer in the summer. According to the report, Sporting have an option to extend Fernandes’ contract by two more years, but given the youngster’s reserve role, this is not in the club’s interest.
Fernandes was originally loaned to FC Basel in the summer of 2021 for two years, but after just one season with 23 appearances and three goals involved, the loan was terminated prematurely. Since then, the tricky speed dribbler has only been used sporadically for Sporting’s second representation (six competitive games).
High price tag
Nevertheless, the Portuguese want to collect a high fee for their home-grown talent. While Utrecht is looking for a loan with an option to buy, Schalke is reportedly interested in an immediate purchase. However, the sum of five to six million euros plus other bonuses is likely to exceed the budget of the newcomer. In addition, with Wilson Isidor, the Bundesliga club seems to have immediate help for the offensive flanks on the line.
