Club refuses to let Liverpool or Everton sign their star

Schalke refused to buy Malick Thiaw in the January transfer window despite interest from Premier League giants Liverpool, Everton and West Ham United, says sporting director Rouven Schroder WAZ.

The reaction to Lee Johnson’s dismissal as Sunderland coach ranged from surprise to extreme bewilderment. At least, outside of Wearside that is.

Those who have been following Sunderland closely in recent weeks will tell you that there is no guarantee that the Black Cat will land next May.

Yes, they are third in League One, two points behind in automatic promotion. But they also won only seven of the last 17 matches. Promotion is difficult.

Some feel that Saturday’s 6-0 thrashing of Bolton was not merely a blip but a great moment for a club whose performances – not to mention the results – have been going down steadily for a while.

A club of Sunderland’s caliber cannot afford another third-tier season. Johnson, a coach with a troubling track record when it comes to long hauls in terrible form, has paid the price.

Schalke, another historic club that is working-class by their fortunes, finds itself in a similar position.

Leaving the Bundesliga for the first time in 55 years last seasonThe 2011 Champions League semi-finalists are desperate to get rid of the nettles and reeds and return to greener surroundings.

As a result, they are willing to ignore their financial predicament and retain the services of a young defender who has started every single one of 20 Bundesliga games. 2 of them.

Will Malick Thiaw sign for Liverpool?

“We had a clear position. Players belong to us and have contracts,” said Schroder.

“Malick is a very important building block for us.”

Head coach Dimitrios Grammozis, who led Schalke to fourth in the table, glad to hear that Thiaw will stay again.

Liverpool have been linked in recent weeks, as well as its Merseyside neighbors Everton (Sport1).

Based on Tuttomercatoweb, West Ham have also expressed their interest. It is impossible not to mention the Italian giant AC Milan.

And while Thiaw is certain to leave, a transfer could await. For Schalke, as with Sunderland, nothing but promotion has been good enough this season.

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