Mertcan Ayhan will not be leaving FC Schalke 04 this winter. That was made clear by S04 sporting director Frank Baumann.
Mertcan Ayhan will not be leaving FC Schalke 04 this winter. The sporting director of the second-division leaders made this statement on “At Broski – Die Sport-Show.”
The rising star at the Royal Blues had recently been linked with AS Roma. “Mertcan Ayhan is from Gelsenkirchen. He is a Schalke player and is currently living his dream. He will definitely not be leaving in the winter,” Baumann said, putting an end to all rumors. “We’re glad we have him and that he identifies so strongly with the club.”
Ayhan is said to have recently turned down an offer from Roma because he wants to continue developing at his home club, Schalke 04, first. The Italians were reportedly willing to put up to eight million euros on the table for Ayhan, who only moved up from the club’s U19 team to the pros this summer. “The last figure mentioned was also far too low,” Baumann added. And in doing so, he made it clear that the club has no intention of letting its gem go for less than his worth. Ayhan’s contract runs until the summer of 2028.
And the value of the Turkish U19 international, who is already firmly in the plans for Turkey’s U21 team, is constantly rising. Following the injury to vice-captain Timo Becker in the 1-0 home win against Fürth, the 19-year-old brother of Kaan Ayhan was slotted into the right side of Schalke’s three-man defensive line.
Baumann also gave Ayhan hope that he could remain in the team even after Timo Becker’s recovery. “He can also play in the defensive midfield position,” Baumann said, noting that Ayhan had already successfully filled that role under Norbert Elgert in the U19s.
With twelve appearances already in the first half of the season, the former U19 captain has certainly made a name for himself. For this reason, too, promotion to the Bundesliga would be worth its weight in gold for Schalke. It would offer significantly better prospects for top talents like Ayhan or Vitalie Becker.