Schalke make progress in their bid to sign Kolasinac on loan with a purchase option

Schalke are making progress in their bid to sign Sead Kolasinac from Arsenal on loan with an option to purchase the player next summer, according to German media outlet Bild.

Arsenal and Schalke will split his wages and each club will pay him an annual salary of £2.25 million. Kolasinac is willing to take a £3.6 million pay cut to join his former club.

Kolasinac has met with Jochen Schneider, Schalke’s sporting director, three times and is keen to return to Germany this summer. He would like to be made captain of the German side. 

The Gunners signed Kolasinac on a free transfer in the summer of 2017. His time in North London has not been a resounding success. Kolasinac’s place in Arsenal’s starting eleven is far from guaranteed. 

Kieran Tierney appears to be the North London side’s undisputed first choice left back. The 27 year old was utilised by Arteta on the left side of a back three at times last season but with Gabriel’s impending arrival at the Emirates, it is unlikely he will get too much game time in central defence this season. 

The Bosnia and Herzegovina international made 32 appearances for the Gunners in all competitions last season. Since he signed for Arsenal, he has made 105 appearances for the club. He was a fan favourite at Schalke before moving to North London and is believed to be keen on returning to the club where he started his senior career.