Edin Dzeko is poised to rejoin FC Schalke 04 on a fresh contract after impressing during the club's second-division promotion campaign. Sky Deutschland reports the transfer likelihood stands at 80–90 per cent, with an official announcement expected within days. The 40-year-old striker's return would give the newly promoted side crucial top-flight experience as they prepare for their Bundesliga return.
Dzeko joined Schalke from Fiorentina in January and delivered an immediate impact, scoring six goals and providing three assists across 11 matches to help secure promotion. However, his initial deal expired at season's end, leaving his future uncertain. Frank Baumann, the club's sporting director, remained cautiously optimistic on Thursday, stating negotiations remained "about contractual matters" but that no agreement had been finalized. That hesitation has now evaporated following reported progress in recent talks.
Financial Flexibility Behind the Deal
Schalke's acquisition of Maximilian Wöber on a free transfer from Leeds United appears to have unlocked the necessary budget. Securing the centre-back without a transfer fee freed resources to pursue Dzeko. According to reports, the Bosnian international is being offered a base salary of 900,000 euros annually, rising to 1.3 million euros with performance bonuses—making him among the club's highest earners.
Manager Miron Muslic has actively targeted experienced personalities for the Bundesliga challenge. Following Saturday's 3-1 friendly victory over Fagiano Okayama, Muslic remarked with knowing intent: "We need characters, leaders and personalities. One or two more with personality are still to come." Dzeko, a fan favourite and proven leader, fits this profile precisely.
Dzeko's Bundesliga Legacy and Road Ahead
The striker's return would mark a homecoming to where his elite-level career took flight. After moving from FK Teplice to Wolfsburg in 2007, Dzeko became one of the Bundesliga's premier marksmen, winning the German title in 2009 and claiming the league's top-scorer award in 2010—a remarkable period that preceded his 37-million-euro move to Manchester City in January 2011. He has since represented Roma, Inter Milan, Fenerbahçe, and Fiorentina before Schalke's call.
If the deal is confirmed, Dzeko could make his first Bundesliga appearance since December 2010 when Schalke face Augsburg on matchday one, 30 August. His veteran presence will anchor the midfield during the DFB Cup opener against regional side Hallescher FC on 24 August. For a club navigating promotion, his experience and goalscoring pedigree offer tangible insurance against the top flight's demands.
