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FC Schalke 04 sign Michael Gregoritsch on six-month loan

By Kevin Parvizi

AUGSBURG, GERMANY - DECEMBER 17: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Michael Gregoritsch of FC Augsburg looks on prior to the Bundesliga match between FC Augsburg and Fortuna Duesseldorf at WWK-Arena on December 17, 2019 in Augsburg, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
AUGSBURG, GERMANY - DECEMBER 17: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Michael Gregoritsch of FC Augsburg looks on prior to the Bundesliga match between FC Augsburg and Fortuna Duesseldorf at WWK-Arena on December 17, 2019 in Augsburg, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /
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FC Schalke 04 were rumored to look for loan help at the forward position this winter, and while they haven’t added Real Madrid’s Mariano Diaz as their dream target, they have signed a quality veteran in the Bundesliga on a six-month loan.

Ahmed Kutucu scored the game-tying goal in the 80th minute against Freiburg on Saturday in his return from a multi-game foot injury, which came after he created two late goals as a substitute for FC Schalke 04. But despite Kutucu and Rabbi Matondo’s encouraging performances, the Royal Blues were always looking for veteran help at the forward position.

That’s because Mark Uth has been disappointing and is currently out with more adductor issues, while Guido Burgstaller simply needed to be upgraded anyway. Benito Raman has been a breakout star with seven goals or assists in his last seven games and the youngsters are playing well, but more help was needed.

Therefore, Schalke have signed Augsburg’s Michael Gregoritsch on a six-month loan for the remainder of the season. Sky Sports’s Dirk Schlarmann reports there is NO option to buy, which is an indication of how highly Augsburg value Gregoritsch. But the fact they are willing to loan him to Schalke for the rest of the season is a sign they believe they are 100-percent safe at 10th in the table and nine points above 15th-placed Werder Bremen.

Gregoritsch is a versatile attacking player who can start as a center attacking midfielder, center forward, or even a right forward. The 25-year-old is a valued young player in Augsburg, but he’s had a rough season thus far with only six appearances and 304 minutes played. For example, Gregoritsch played five minute as a sub against Die Knappen in November. He hasn’t exactly inspired confidence when he has played either.

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However, Gregoritsch’s past statistics show that he can make an impact on the Royal Blues in the second half of the season. He scored six goals with two assists in 2018-2019 and was a true star in 2017-2018 as a top prospect with 13 goals for the Bavarian side.

Hopefully, Gregoritsch can be a quality backup and work his way into the starting XI during the six months of his loan deal in Gelsenkirchen. Augsburg will be happy if the change of scenery helps Gregoritsch find his eye for goal again.

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