Schalke 04: 20 most expensive transfers in Schalke 04 history

19. Salif Sane—$7.7m

Salif Sane is a relatively new investment, having joined the club in the summer before the 2018/19 season. He came over from fellow Bundesliga side Hanover 96 for a relatively modest fee, but since then, Sane has risen to become Schalke’s best defender.

While his initial task appeared to be filling in for the departure of the colossal Naldo—a task that seemed borderline impossible—Sane has done a fantastic job at doing just that, serving as the hulking aerial menace that no one can get through.

Sane is statistically the best aerial defender in the world, which is enough to vindicate his transfer fee already, but as he continues to grow into the defense and do his best to stabilize the club, we will see more of that fee paying dividends.

Salif Sane is one of the unfortunate few on this list who’s value and investment shouldn’t be questioned. Unfortunately, we’re hitting too many of those names early on in the list, not later.