Despite Arteta stance, Arsenal man in negotiations with Schalke about permanent move | OneFootball

Sead Kolasinac has been holding negotiations with Schalke about a permanent deal despite Mikel Arteta reportedly blocking any move away this summer.

If you’re like me, you might have been surprised to read that Mikel Arteta does not want to sell Sead Kolasinac this summer in light of what happened to Kieran Tierney that resulted in Granit Xhaka having to be used at full-back.

Schalke are destined to be relegated this season and, yet, they are still hopeful of being able to sign Kolasinac on a permanent basis.

“It’s a long way. But I’ve already managed a marathon,” said Schalke boss, Peter Knäbel in an interview with the Funke media group, via Sport1, about the negotiations with the Bosnian.

Back in March, it was reported that Kolasinac was considering remaining with Schalke even if they get relegated, though it would require a substantial pay cut.

German outlet Sport1 reported that Kolasinac was considering helping Schalke make a comeback to the German top-flight if when they get relegated this season.

When he went on loan, the rumours suggested Kolasinac could make a permanent move if Schalke stayed up. They are currently 10 points adrift at the bottom of the Bundesliga with just six games remaining.

Should Kolasinac remain in Germany, it would require the defender to cut his €8.5m salary significantly, as he did to join on loan. He’s earning just over €2m for his loan spell, and that’s with Schalke still in the Bundesliga.

If he’s willing to make that cut relatively permanent, and risk remaining in the 2. Bundesliga for more than a single season if things go wrong, a permanent deal might be back on, regardless of Schalke’s fortunes between now and May.

But with one year left on his Arsenal deal after the summer, and money needed to reinforce other areas of the squad, Mikel Arteta might just force the Bosnian to remain in London.

Kolasinac turns 28 in the summer.