Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung reports that up to 15 players could leave Schalke in the summer, regardless if they are relegated or not.
It is widely known that if Schalke are relegated they will have no senior players as none of their contracts are valid below the 2.Bundesliga, but even if Schalke remain in the 2.Bundesliga an upheaval is expected.
The most high-profile departure will be Assan Ouédraogo, the 17-year-old has a release clause in his contract said to be worth €15m and has attracted interest from RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt, with a move to Leipzig looking the most likely.
Coach Karel Geraerts no longer relies on Timo Baumgartl, Dominick Drexler, Lino Tempelmann, Tobias Mohr and Ibrahima Cissé. All can leave the club in the summer as Schalke will listen to offers for them.
The expiring contracts of Blendi Idrizi, Thomas Ouwejan, Danny Latza, Cedric Brunner, and Michael Langer are unlikely to be extended. Whilst the future of striker Simon Terodde whose contract also expires in the summer is currently up in the air. The futures of loanees Yusuf Kabadayi (€800k-1.3m buy option), Darko Churlinov (€2.5-3.5m buy option) and Brandon Soppy are also open.
While Geraerts has a core group of players who he will keep if Schalke avoids relegation. Marius Müller, Tomas Kalas, Derry John Murkin, Ron Schallenberg and Kenan Karaman will also be key players for Schalke beyond the summer.
GGFN | Jack Meenan
