Schalke ‘to intensify’ talks for Cenk Özkacar amid Trabzonspor and Beşiktaş interest | OneFootball

Cenk Özkacar’s Valencia exit is nearing completion, with Germany and Türkiye both in play. Club and player have long accepted his future lies away from Mestalla.

Sky Sport Germany reports that Schalke 04 are intensifying talks over a loan with option to buy. With two years left on his deal, rescission is ruled out, so Valencia are weighing an affordable sale or that loan route, since he is not in the plans of Carlos Corberán or the department led by Ron Gourlay, CEO de Fútbol.

Freshly promoted Schalke are in concrete discussions with his camp and Valencia, seeking a verbal agreement with the player before closing the deal.

The push coincides with Özkacar skipping a solo session at the Ciutat Esportiva on Wednesday. He also missed the Girona camp to sort his future, and his absence in Paterna is seen as a sign talks have quickened.

Türkiye interest remains strong, particularly from Trabzonspor, with Beşiktaş also in the frame. After last season’s loan at Cologne, who did not trigger an option of around two million euros, a Bundesliga return could beckon, if Türkiye do not intervene.

Turkish clubs proposing a smaller permanent fee could appeal more to Valencia, removing the risk of another exit next summer. Özkacar wants minutes and a route back to the national team, and Schalke also fits that brief.

Valencia expect a swift resolution and are building without him at centre back, around Justin de Haas, César Tárrega and José Copete when fit, plus a new right-sided option. Mouctar Diakhaby is also out of favour and harder to move, while Özkacar could be the next departure after Baptiste Santamaría, ahead of tougher cases such as Dani Raba.

Source: Superdeporte