Schalke sporting director Horst Heldt has confirmed that the club are willing to make Matija Nastasic’s move a permanent one.
The central defender joined the Bundesliga side in January on a short term loan deal and has become an important player for Roberto Di Matteo’s side.
Nastasic, who became surplus to requirements at Manchester City due to the summer arrival for Eliaquim Mangala and the form for Martin Demichelis and Vincent Kompany, joined the German club with a buying option included.
And, it is understood that Heldt and officials from the club are ready to activate the £7m fee.
“There is an option to buy Matija Nastasic that comes into force after a certain amount of minutes he’s played, and Nastasic’s first weeks in general,” Heldt told reporters.
“I always confirmed, and I do so now, that we have an option to buy, but this option is conditioned on several situations which must arise.”