Next, please: Schalke 04 are once again in line for a large transfer fee. Florian Flick is about to move to second-division rivals 1. FC Nürnberg.

The fan groups of the second-division clubs FC Schalke 04 and 1. FC Nürnberg are close friends, but the atmosphere at the negotiating table is not always friendly. And that is exactly where the sporting directors of both clubs meet. It’s about Florian Flick. According to the Nuremberg club, the talks are so far advanced that it is only a question of the transfer fee.

Schalke coach Reis did not go for Flick

The 23-year-old defensive midfielder had initially made a steep rise at Schalke. He earned a professional contract with the U23 team and even became a Bundesliga regular under coach Frank Kramer. Kramer’s successor Thomas Reis, however, no longer relied on the 1.90-metre Flick, who can also help out in central defence. That’s why Flick was loaned out to 1. FC Nürnberg in the 2nd Bundesliga in January 2023. At the “Club” he earned himself a regular place, played in 17 competitive games (16 in the 2nd Bundesliga, 1 in the DFB Cup) before suffering a metatarsal fracture.

Nuremberg expressed an interest in signing Flick early on. However, another loan is no longer possible, Flick’s Schalke contract is valid until 2024. The fact that Reis will not rely on him in the coming season is shown by the signings of Ron Schallenberg (Paderborn) and Paul Seguin (Union Berlin) for Flick’s position. Danny Latza and Niklas Tauer are also fighting for a regular place.

Hecking: “The player wants to join us”.

Flick, whose market value is two million euros according to transfermarkt.de, has had many enquiries. According to information from Nuremberg, Flick has decided in favour of FCN. “The player wants to join us,” sports director Dieter Hecking told the Nürnberger Nachrichten. “Now we just have to find a solution with Schalke. We are in good talks.” Sporting director Olaf Rebbe added: “Negotiations with Schalke have begun.”

One thing is clear: Whether Flick will be fit again by the start of the season is still open. Flick appeared for the first Schalke training session in the royal blue kit, but was still walking on crutches.