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 league leaders made this statement on “At Broski – Die Sport-Show.”
The rising star of the Royal Blues had most recently been linked with AS Roma. “Mertcan Ayhan is from Gelsenkirchen. He’s 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 to 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, for now. The Italians are said to have been willing to put up to eight million euros on the table for Ayhan, who only joined the first team this summer from the club’s U19 squad. “The most recent figure mentioned was also far too low,” Baumann added. He thus made it clear that the club has no intention of letting its gem go for less than his true value at any point. Ayhan’s contract runs through the summer of 2028.
And the value of the Turkish U-19 national team player—who is already firmly in the plans for Turkey’s U-21 team—is constantly rising. Following the injury to vice-captain Timo Becker during the 1-0 home win against Fürth, the 19-year-old brother of Kaan Ayhan was a fixture on the right side of Schalke’s three-man defensive line.
Baumann also gave Ayhan hope that he could remain on the team even after Timo Becker recovers. “He can also play in the defensive midfield position,” Baumann said, pointing out that Ayhan had already successfully filled that role under Norbert Elgert with the U19s.
With twelve appearances so far in the first half of the season, the former U19 captain has certainly already 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.