Schalke 04 is chasing third division talent El-Faouzi: A change is imminent!
Alemannia Aachen: Soufiane El-Faouzi, 22, attracts interest from Schalke 04. New coach and defense restructuring is imminent.

Schalke 04 is chasing third division talent El-Faouzi: A change is imminent!
The ball is currently at rest in most stadiums, but at FC Schalke 04 they are already busy on the transfer market. The Royal Blues finished last season with 62 goals conceded, which signals a clear need for action in defense. In order to strengthen the defense and at the same time revitalize the midfield, Schalke are interested in the talented Soufiane El-Faouzi from Alemannia Aachen. The 22-year-old has excelled impressively in the 3rd division and could prove to be the perfect reinforcement for Schalke's central axis.
El-Faouzi moved from Fortuna Düsseldorf II to Alemannia Aachen last summer and has quickly developed into a regular player. Last season he made an impressive 41 appearances, scoring 4 goals and assisting 10 more goals. What particularly sets him apart is his running strength - with 427 kilometers covered, he was the strongest player in the first three leagues tz.de reported.
Attractive options for Schalke
The central midfielder can be used in both the 6 and 8 positions, making him a flexible option for the Schalke coach. Despite a contract running until 2026, El-Faouzi has a release clause that makes a move this summer possible. The transfer fee is estimated to be in the low six-figure range, which makes him quite attractive for Schalke. Sports 90 adds that in addition to Schalke, VfL Bochum and other clubs from the 2nd division are also showing interest in El-Faouzi.
The urgency of a transfer is underlined by the short contract term of just one year. Clubs like Hannover 96, Karlsruher SC and even Scottish clubs have taken notice of the talented player. The possible departure of El-Faouzi would be a bitter loss for Alemannia Aachen, especially since the coaching situation surrounding Heiner Backhaus is uncertain, whose move to Eintracht Braunschweig is on the cards.
Market values of the 3rd league in focus
The market values in the 3rd league have not remained completely stable in the last few months. Overall, the market value of all clubs fell by 3.1% and is currently around 160.73 million euros. This trend could influence the negotiating position of candidates like El-Faouzi. Success in football operations often depends directly on transfer strategies and, last but not least, on the market values of the players, which can often change quickly under pressure from the competition. You can find out more about this on Transfer market.
The question remains at Schalke as to whether they can strike quickly in the coming weeks. With the availability of El-Faouzi, the Royal Blues could do good business and soon strengthen the team significantly. Transfer policy activities are therefore a hot topic in the preparation period for a new, exciting season.