Schalke Keep Dzeko Waiting While Sylla Set for Surprise Stay After Bundesliga Return

Schalke sporting director Frank Baumann has confirmed the club will not pressure Edin Dzeko into a decision about his future, whilst strongly hinting that Moussa Sylla could now remain at the club following their Bundesliga promotion.

The Royal Blues secured their return to Germany's top flight with a 1-0 victory over Fortuna Düsseldorf on Saturday, sparking celebrations that continued through the weekend and will extend to a team trip to Ibiza this week.

Why Schalke Can Afford to Wait on Dzeko's Decision

Baumann's relaxed stance on Dzeko reflects both practical considerations and the club's improved negotiating position following promotion. The 40-year-old striker, whose contract expires in June, ruled out retirement after Saturday's triumph but left his Schalke future open.

Naturally he also has a World Cup ahead of him and isn't the youngest anymore, but we've agreed to sit down together after the season. There won't be any deadline from our side.

The sporting director's comments to Sky90 reveal Schalke's calculated approach to keeping their experienced talisman.

World Cup Commitments Shape Timeline

Baumann acknowledged that Dzeko's international commitments with Bosnia and Herzegovina mean he wouldn't be available for the start of pre-season training regardless of his decision.

This removes any urgency from negotiations and allows both parties to assess their options without artificial pressure.

Due to the World Cup, he won't be on the pitch on the first day of training anyway, so we have time. What's important is that he makes the decision out of conviction, just as he did in winter.

Emotional Connection Could Prove Decisive

The Schalke chief emphasised the mutual benefit of Dzeko's presence at the club. The veteran striker joined in January on a short-term deal and played a crucial role in securing promotion.

Baumann noted that Dzeko understands "what he can give to the team and the club - but equally, what the club can give him".

The Sylla U-Turn: From Sale Candidate to Key Asset

Perhaps more surprising than Schalke's patience with Dzeko is the apparent reversal on Moussa Sylla's future. The striker was on the verge of a €6 million move to MLS during the winter transfer window before the deal collapsed at the last moment.

Now Baumann suggests promotion has fundamentally altered the equation for the 24-year-old forward.

Changed Circumstances Transform Sylla's Value

Sylla's scoring record tells the story of his importance to Schalke:

• 16 goals in the 2024/25 promotion season
• 7 goals in 28 appearances this campaign
• Started 17 matches, coming off the bench in 11

Baumann admitted the club would have sanctioned Sylla's departure under certain conditions when they were in the second tier.

We would have let him go under certain conditions. But now Schalke are playing in the first division again and therefore I believe there's less reason for him to leave.

From Necessity to Choice

The sporting director's frank assessment reveals how promotion has transformed Schalke's transfer strategy. What was once a financial necessity - selling key assets like Sylla - has become a choice.

Baumann confirmed that Sylla "fundamentally feels comfortable" at Schalke, suggesting the player himself may now prefer to test himself in the Bundesliga rather than seek a move elsewhere.

Building for the Bundesliga: Schalke's Strategic Patience

The contrasting situations of Dzeko and Sylla illustrate Schalke's broader approach to squad building for their Bundesliga return. Rather than rushing into decisions, the club appears confident in its ability to retain key players whilst avoiding panic purchases.

Experience Meets Potential

Keeping both strikers would give manager Miron Muslic an ideal blend for the top-flight challenge:

• Dzeko's vast experience at the highest level, including Champions League and international tournaments
• Sylla's pace, potential and proven ability to score in German football
• Combined total of 23 goals between them this season

This patient approach extends beyond the striking department. Baumann's willingness to let players decompress in Ibiza before returning to preparation shows a club operating from a position of strength rather than desperation.

Financial Reality Meets Sporting Ambition

Schalke's stance represents a delicate balance between financial prudence and sporting ambition. The club's well-documented financial troubles haven't disappeared with promotion, but the guaranteed Bundesliga revenue provides breathing space.

By potentially keeping Dzeko on reasonable terms and retaining Sylla rather than cashing in, Schalke signal their intent to be competitive rather than merely survive in the top flight.

What Happens Next

Schalke face ninth-placed Nürnberg on Saturday in their penultimate match of the season, with the squad returning from Ibiza on Thursday to prepare. The real work begins after the final whistle on the campaign, when Baumann and his team must finalise their squad for the Bundesliga return.

Dzeko's decision will likely come after Bosnia's World Cup qualifiers, whilst Sylla's situation appears increasingly likely to be resolved with a stay at the Veltins-Arena. For a club that suffered the trauma of relegation in 2023, this measured confidence represents significant progress both on and off the pitch.