The transfer poker for Rodrigo Zalazar is in its final stages. The Schalke professional is on the verge of a move to Portugal.

There has been speculation about Rodrigo Zalazar’s future for weeks. Now there is momentum in the transfer poker: The midfielder is on the verge of leaving Schalke 04. The 23-year-old is in agreement with FC Braga about a move, this editorial team can confirm. Portuguese media also report about it. He will undergo the medical check in Braga later today.

The word from Portugal is that Schalke will pay around six million euros for Zalazar – a lot of money for the second-division club from Gelsenkirchen. In Braga, the Uruguayan international is expected to sign a four-year contract until the summer of 2027.

The Portuguese lure the central midfielder with the prospect of playing in the European Cup. As third in the pre-season table, Braga have secured a place in the Champions League qualifiers. In other words, the club has already secured at least the Europa League. For Zalazar, who is determined to continue playing for the national team, this is a much better prospect than the 2nd Bundesliga.

In the summer of 2021, Zalazar moved from Eintracht Frankfurt to Gelsenkirchen on loan – a year later he was signed permanently. Thanks to his sometimes spectacular style of play, he quickly earned a reputation as a crowd favourite. In 55 competitive games for Schalke, Zalazar scored nine times and set up 13 goals. His 3:2 winning goal against FC St. Pauli in May 2022, which secured promotion for Schalke, remains unforgotten.