This is becoming somewhat of a trend
Liverpool striker Dominic Solanke looks set to become the next young English footballer to move to Germany in search of more first team football, as Sport Bild report that he is expected to join Schalke on loan for the rest of this season.
Solanke joined Liverpool from Chelsea in the summer of 2017 but has struggled to make an impact, with Roberto Firmino and Daniel Sturridge blocking his path to the first team. With a lack of game time stunting his development, he was always going to seek a move away from Anfield this winter, though not many thought Germany would be his destination.
It seemed certain recently that he would stay in the Premier League, with Crystal Palace, Huddersfield and Brighton all interested, but the England U21 international now looks likely to join Schalke, who are in desperate need of a striker.
A strong relationship between Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and Schalke’s Director of Football Christian Heidel is reported as being a key reason behind this imminent move.
Solanke follows the recent trend of talented English youngsters moving to Germany in search of more first team football; Jadon Sancho being the best example of a player for whom it was undoubtedly the right decision after leaving Manchester City for Borussia Dortmund.
Arsenal’s Reiss Nelson is also enjoying a productive loan spell at Hoffenheim this season, scoring 6 goals in 13 games for Julian Nagelsmann’s side.
West Ham’s Reece Oxford has also spent two loan spells at Borussia Mönchendgladbach, and while he has not exactly flourished in Germany, his move encouraged others to do the same, and the English national team will reap the benefits.
