Schalke 04: Midfield star probably before moving to 1. FC Union Berlin

Bundesliga

In the second half of the season things are going better for Schalke 04 so far. While the Royal Blues were at the bottom of the table with just nine points after the end of the first half of the season, they are now in the middle of a relegation battle. Currently only one counter is missing for the first non-relegation place.

If only 2023 counted, Schalke would be in eighth place in midfield. But the unsuccessful first half of the season continues to have an enormous impact.

The fact that things are going reasonably well at the moment is mainly due to midfielder Alex Kral. The 24-year-old may have needed some time to settle in the Bundesliga after joining from Spartak Moscow in the summer, but is now one of the team’s key players.

Since the beginning of February, Kral has played the full 90 minutes of every game.

The problem: if he were relegated, he would definitely be gone and even if he stayed in the league, the 24-year-old should leave the club in the summer.

Kral and Union Berlin with initial talks

However, that should hardly cause surprise among those responsible at Schalke. Because according to the “Bild” newspaper, the club has been informed for a few weeks that 1. FC Union Berlin should be more than interested.

According to Sky information, the Berliners are said to have already spoken to the Czech. During the last international break in March, Kral is said to have been in Berlin for talksbut haven’t made a decision yet.

Alex Kral is considered one of the leading players at Schalke 04.Image: imago images / photo rhr / tr

Since then, according to Sky, Schalke has been trying to convince the defensive midfielder to stay. Among other things, it should be made palatable to him with a salary increase in the event of a successful relegation.

Fifa must approve Kral transfer

But before Kral can decide where he wants to play football next season, Fifa has to adjust its regulations.

The 24-year-old is actually under contract with Spartak Moscow until 2024. Only a special regulation of the world association allowed foreign professionals in Russia after the war of aggression against Ukraine to unilaterally suspend their contracts or change to a loan without a fee.

However, it is considered very likely that Fifa will extend this regulation.

Before the Czech finally decided on Schalke in the summer, he is said to have negotiated intensively with Union’s city competitor Hertha BSC about a change. Former sports director Fredi Bobic is said to have been too high at just under two million euros gross per year.

Schalke have their sights set on successors from the 2nd division

However, the Gelsenkircheners would not be completely unprepared if they left. As Sky reports, they already have a suitable successor in mind with Ron Schallenberg.

The 24-year-old is captain of the second division club SC Paderborn. He played 29 of 30 games this season for the fourth-placed team in the 2nd division and only missed one game due to a yellow card suspension.

According to Transfermarkt.de, with a market value of 2.5 million euros, he is one of the most valuable players in the second division.