Schalke confirms: Sylla will not join NYCFC – "Contracts had already been signed"

The planned transfer of Moussa Sylla to New York City FC has fallen through. This was confirmed by FC Schalke 04 on Tuesday. According to a statement issued by Schalke, the Major League Soccer club wanted to renegotiate a deal that was already fully agreed upon by all parties, for reasons that remain unclear, and according to the 2. Bundesliga club set unreasonable parameters.

"We are irritated by the behaviour of New York City FC," Schalke sporting director Frank Baumann said. "The contracts had not only been negotiated, but had already been signed. To now cite a failed medical examination and thus activate a clause in the contract is incomprehensible to us, because Moussa is healthy and fit to play. We see no reason to consider the medical examination as failed. We will vehemently dispute this claim, also to protect Moussa. He can easily continue playing professional football for another decade."

Instead of a permanent transfer, NYCFC suddenly demanded a loan with options on Sunday. "That is not acceptable to us," Baumann said. According to reports, the two clubs had actually agreed on a transfer fee of €5 million with €2m in add-ons. Schalke announced that it would review the entire process internally and evaluate possible next steps. Without the Sylla deal going through, the Royal Blues had no way of signing a new striker before the transfer deadline.

Schalke convinced: Sylla will score more goals

The striker himself had already announced on Tuesday night that the transfer was likely to fall through. "Schalke fans, you are crazy. I'm coming home," the Malian wrote in English on Instagram, adding a blue and white heart. Sylla is expected to return to Schalke training later this week, with the Royal Blues hosting Dynamo Dresden on Saturday. "Moussa is a top striker; he will score a few more goals for us in this league, I'm convinced of that," said Baumann.

It had already become clear last summer at Schalke that Sylla would be impossible to keep if a good offer came along. The centre forward scored 16 goals last season, but no major offers materialised. This season, his efficiency has declined slightly with four goals and two assists in 19 appearances, but the MLS offered the chance for a much-needed windfall. Sylla still has a contract with the Royal Blues until 2028.