ARSENAL defender Sead Kolasinac reportedly wants a return to the Bundesliga with former club Schalke formulating a deal.
The German-born Bosnia international has often been used as a makeshift centre-back by Mikel Arteta having dropped behind Kieran Tierney in the pecking order.
And with the club nearing a deal for Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes, first-team opportunities may be limited.
Sky Sports Germany report on Kolasinac’s “private reasons” for wanting to return to Schalke.
The exact nature of the defender’s unhappiness in England is unknown but it is noted that he feels at home with the Bundesliga club.
Kolasinac also came through the club academy and has many friends in the region.
Furthermore, the 27-year-old endured a horrific episode last summer when he and Arsenal pal Mesut Ozil were attacked by knife-wielding thugs in London.
Famously fighting off one attacker with his bare hands, Kolasinac and Ozil were chased for a mile before hiding in a Turkish restaurant.
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Whether or not Schake can pull off a deal may come down to hard economics.
The Bundesliga club laboured to 12th place last season and the defender is thought to earn around £100,000-a-week in North London.
Schalke can reportedly only afford to around half that if their former hero is available.
Kolasinac is under contract until 2022 at Emirates Stadium.
Reports linking him with a move away have already circulated as Arteta seeks to rid his defence of sloppy mistakes.
Along with the imminent arrival of young centre-back Gabriel, loanees Cedric Soares and Pablo Mari have signed permanently.
After the combined £35million outlay – plus bumper contracts for Willian and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – the seemingly cash-strapped club may soon need to begin their summer sales.
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