Breel Embolo is set to sign for Schalke, according to several reports from the German and Swiss media.
German magazine Kicker first pushed Schalke interest on Monday of this week, and they say a switch is now ‘imminent’. Schalke are set to pay FC Basel a total of €20m for Embolo, in three payments of around €7m a time.
Swiss newspaper Blick are carrying the exact same information, although they insist they were first with launching the story. Blick say Embolo will receive a five year contract at Schalke, and will either replace or team up with Leroy Sane.
On June 9th, it was reported in Switzerland that Jose Mourinho had pushed Manchester United into opening talk to sign Embolo, beating RB Leipzig to the Swiss international.
We pondered whether the Manchester United claims were to put pressure on RB Leipzig to pay more, but it appears Embolo is now off to a completely different German destination. There’s every chance Manchester United were used, but maybe to flush out other interest than simply pressure Leipzig.
If Manchester United had wanted Embolo then, at the prices quoted, it would have to be assumed they could have wrapped up a deal very quickly indeed, just like they did with Eric Bailly. No doubt the English club will now receive criticism for being hesitant, when they may well have never been interested in the first place.
Embolo is very highly rated in Switzerland and fans following the national team in France have been raving about the youngster’s ability.
