Schalke know that they have to bolster their squad ahead of the upcoming season if they’re to make any noise, and they’re off to a flying start. After securing the signings of Felipe Santana and Christian Clemens, Schalke appear to be on the verge of another terrific move.
Schalke move for Mainz’s Adam Szalai
Schalke are close to a deal to bring Adam Szalai to Gelsenkirchen.
Thorsten Wagner
Kicker is reporting that Schalke are close to finalizing a deal to bring Adam Szalai to the Veltins Arena from Mainz. The Hungarian scored 13 goals during the 2012-2013 Bundesliga season which was good for a split for 7th place in the scoring table with Bayern Munich's Thomas Müller. While he did suffer a sharp fall in the second half of the season replicating the form of Mainz, Szalai did manage to become the highest scoring Hungarian ever in the Bundesliga.
While Roman Neustädter was as solid as signing as ever last summer, Schalke saw a mixed bag in two players that they brought in on loan.
Barcelona's Ibrahim Afellay showed moments of pure brilliance at the start of the campaign, but he never really quite fit in with the club. After suffering a thigh injury during winter training, the Dutch international never made another appearance and is now back with his parent club.
A real success was the January loan of Michel Bastos from Lyon. After agreeing to a 1.5 year loan, the Brazilian provided a much needed attacking spark to the side after the departure of Lewis Holtby to Tottenham in the same window.
With Ciprian Marica leaving the club on a free transfer this summer (His likely destination is Shakhtar Donetsk.), Szalai would be an exciting option to have available to play with and/or give Klaas Jan Huntelaar a break from time to time. And, for €8 million, Szalai is far from an expensive option.
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