FC Schalke 04 is strengthening its defense. Timo Baumgartl comes according to the information of this editorial office from PSV Eindhoven.

The hoped-for reinforcement for FC Schalke 04 at the position of central defender is within reach, Timo Baumgartl is approaching: the second division soccer club has agreed with PSV on the modalities for a transfer of the 27-year-old, writes Eindhovens Dagblad, and also according to information from this editorial office, Timo Baumgartl is to complete the medical check in Gelsenkirchen during Wednesday morning.

If everything goes smoothly, the signature can be placed under the contract and the newcomer can immediately appear for the first unit on the pitch with coach Thomas Reis.

Negotiations with the Dutch division leader have been dragging on for some time. Baumgartl will join Schalke 04 free of charge, but the Eindhoven club wanted to secure a few contractual bonuses that would allow them to profit financially in the event of a return to the Bundesliga or a resale. At PSV, Baumgartl is therefore already considered a sure departure, now he just has to pass the medical check in Gelsenkirchen. It is possible that he could even be in the squad for the season opener at Hamburger SV on Friday (8:30 p.m.).

Coach Thomas Reis had questioned this after the dress rehearsal against Twente Enschede last Saturday, because it was still unclear whether Baumgartl would join the Schalke team at all and if so, when. However, the serious injury to Leo Greiml and the thin personnel situation in the defensive center made the signing all the more urgent. Greiml is out for a long time due to a cruciate ligament rupture, so Reis currently has three central defenders available in the person of Marcin Kaminski, Ibrahima Cissé and Henning Matriciani.