- 13 hours ago
Arsenal transfer news: Could Kolasinac stay at Schalke next season?
Stefan Bienkowski
- Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
- 5 min read
Schalke sporting director Peter Knabel hopes that the club will be able to keep Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac next season, despite the German club getting relegated to the 2.Bundesliga.
Kolasinac came through Schalke’s youth academy as a young player and played over 100 games for the club before making a move to Arsenal in 2017 on a free transfer.
However, with a diminishing role in Mikel Arteta’s first team, the Bosnia and Herzegovina international returned to Schalke on loan in January in an attempt to help the club fight off relegation.
Along with Kolasinac, the club also re-signed former top goalscorer Klaas-Jan Huntelaar after he agreed to leave Ajax on a free transfer.
READ MORE: Could Bayern Munich beat Liverpool to the signing of Teun Koopmeiners?
However, despite the best efforts of both senior players, Schalke still struggled to avoid the drop and were officially relegated with just 13 points from 30 games.
Despite knowing that they’ll be spending next season in the second tier of German football, Knabel hopes that both players will stay at Schalke and help the club bounce back immediately.
“It’s about the topic of identification, that’s very important to us,” said Knabel in a digital discussion with club members. “When I look at the two of them how they live the club – the Hunter [Huntelaar] it’s a pure visual example.”
When asked about Kolasinac staying next season, Knabel said: “I hope Seo gains even more physicality so he can bring his power on the pitch” before suggesting that another loan deal may be agreed between the two club.
Could Arsenal let Kolasinac leave this summer?
Arsenal fans may be a little concerned to read that their club would be willing to let Kolasinac leave on another loan move, considering how few players Arteta has in his squad that can fill in at left back.
Kieran Tierney is unquestionable the club’s first-choice pick in the position but if the Scotland international were to pick up another long-term injury then there are no other traditional full-backs that can fill in aside from the former Schalke star.
