1 year ago
259 
Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images for DFB
Which big club do you think a German teenager wants to go to?
Liverpool FC, Manchester United and Chelsea have all been linked with Schalke’s Assan Ouedraogo recently. Who is he, exactly?
The 17-year-old midfielder, who has been described as Xabi Alonso-esque, is a deep playmaking midfielder who’s also capable of breaking the lines with his pace and power on the ball. He broke into the Schalke first team this season and has made ten senior appearances for the German club in 2.Bundesliga so far this season, including seven starts. On his professional debut in July, he scored, becoming the club’s youngest-ever goalscorer, surpassing the previous record held by Julian Draxler.
Before his exploits this season, the tall (he’s 6’3”) midfielder recorded nine goals and 12 assists in 23 games at Under-17 level and registered seven goals and two assists for Schalke’s Under-19s team last season.
But of course, if a German kid is killing it so much in the 2 Buli that English clubs are interested, you can bet that German clubs have been alerted. According to a few sources, perennial Bundesliga winners Bayern Munich are interested and are said to be top dogs for his services.
News Assan #Ouedraogo: In the near future, a meeting between FC Bayern and Ouedraogo's management is scheduled. #S04
➡️ Both sides want to exchange ideas ➡️ Bayern wants to present their vision with the player as they have scouted him
➡️ Sporting Director Freund is in… pic.twitter.com/lJDVPwrfV2
According to Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, Bayern have already scheduled a meeting with Ouedraogo’s entourage.
Ouedraogo’s contract with Schalke runs until the summer of 2027, but there is a release clause. The value will fluctuate depending on if Schalke qualify for Europe, which isn’t likely since they;re in the second tier. The clause will be between €9m (£7.8m) and €12m (£10.5m) if Schalke do so, but in the likely scenario that they don’t, it will fall to just €7m (£6.1m) heading into the summer of 2024.
However, Schalke could also see that fee increase to €20m (£17.4m) if the teenage midfielder makes his senior international debut for the senior German team.
Transfer guy Fabrizio Romano also added in his Daily Briefing for CaughtOffside:
“There have been reports about Liverpool being keen on Schalke youngster Assan Ouedraogo, and yes it’s true that Liverpool like him but it’s the same for Bayern Munich and AC Milan. They are all informed on his situation, on his release clauses – he has different ones based on the clubs interested.
“For sure he’s a top talent and that’s why those three clubs are interested. I think he has great potential, he’ll need some time to develop but he looks a very good player.”
