FC Schalke 04 are in the market for reinforcements at the forward position this winter, but they are also reportedly ready to sell an attacker who is on the periphery of the squad.
Steven Skrzybski has found it difficult to obtain playing time in 2019-2020 for FC Schalke 04, as Guido Burgstaller and Mark Uth have ben preferred as veteran forward options. Although Burgstaller and Uth have struggled recently, summer signing Benito Raman has emerged as a breakout star, and Schalke would prefer to give opportunities to promising 19-year-olds Rabbi Matondo and Ahmed Kutucu over Skrzybski.
As such, BILD are reporting, via SportBuzzer.de, that the Royal Blues will allow Skrzybski to leave the club in the winter transfer window.
Four clubs are said to be possible landing spots for the 27-year-old forward. Former club Union Berlin could be an option, but they may not be interested in adding more players before the summer window, especially since their spot in the first league seems safe for the Ruckrunde.
Meanwhile, Fortuna Dusseldorf seem to have significant interest in adding a forward, as they need a partner for Rouwen Hennings, who has shined this season (including a hat trick in a 3-3 draw with Schalke a few weeks ago). After all, Fortuna lost Dodi Lukebakio to Hertha Berlin and Raman to Die Knappen this summer.
A pair of 2. Bundesliga are also possibilities for Skrzybski. Arminia Bielefeld, who lost due to a brace from Raman in the DFB Pokal, have interest in the player. The same goes for Hamburg, as they are desperate to get back to the Bundesliga. Both Bielefeld and Hamburg are candidates for promotion, as they are first and second, respectively, in the 2. Bundesliga right now.
Skrzybski scored 29 goals in 136 appearances for Union from 2010 to 2018 before joining Schalke, where he’s scored three goals in 12 games. A fairytale return to Union in the first league would be awesome for Skrzybski, but it may not be in the cards.
Schalke will likely sell the 27-year-old forward this winter, and if they can get Mariano Diaz on loan from Real Madrid, then that could be a winning solution for all parties involved.