Schalke prospect now receiving interest from Liverpool
FC Schalke 04 center back Malick Thiaw is one of the most promising young defenders in the Bundesliga, so it’s no surprise clubs around the continent want to sign him.
If there’s one position FC Schalke 04 don’t have to worry about any time soon, then it’s center back. Benjamin Stambouli and Salif Sane have been among the best in the league for a couple of years, Ozan Kabak is the best in the league right now, Matija Nastasic is a consistent brick wall, and Jean-Clair Todibo could be a permanent signing after winning the team’s Player of the Month award in February.
And Schalke have yet another center back coming through the ranks in Malick Thiaw, who recently made his first-team debut as a late substitute in the 1-1 draw with TSG Hoffenheim earlier in March.
Thiaw has already been linked to AC Milan, and now The Mirror reports that Liverpool have eyes on the teenager.
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The 18-year-old center back has been compared to Joel Matip, whom Liverpool signed in 2016 on a free transfer after he was one of the Bundesliga’s most underrated players.
Matip would later blossom into one of the world’s best defenders, becoming the under-appreciated partner to Ballon d’Or candidate Virgil van Dijk when the Reds won the Champions League last season.
Thiaw reportedly has a release clause of about 7.5 million euros, which is essentially a free transfer to a club with Liverpool’s resources.
The same would go for Milan, who would love to steal Thiaw from Schalke after the Royal Blues beat them to superstar Kabak’s signature last summer.
Per the report from The Mirror, Die Knappen are attempting to get a new contract done with the promising teenage center back in the hopes of upping his release clause to ward off interest.
If they can beat the clock, that should be enough, but with so many talented center backs in the squad, perhaps Thiaw is eyeing Liverpool as his chance. And the report also states negotiations have been “on hold” amidst the interest.
Liverpool have great center backs, too, but the chance to play for one of the world’s biggest clubs under Jürgen Klopp could be quite enticing for the Finland international.
Next. There is no alternative to Todibo. dark
Keep an eye on all things Thiaw, because the interest is only beginning to heat up heading into the summer transfer window.