Not long ago, Sead Kolasinac appeared certain to be staying at Schalke. So why the sudden change of heart?
Schalke defender and reported Premier League target Sead Kolasinac admits that he would need to adapt to English football if he was to seek a transfer, the Liverpool Echo reports.
The Bosnian international’s powerful bursts down the left flank have become a constant feature of the Bundesliga giant’s gameplan this season, with Kolasinac holding off competition from Chelsea loanee Abdul Baba Rahman after fully recovering from a serious cruciate ligament injury.
Consequently, The Mirror claimed that both Liverpool and West Brom were holding an interest in one of the German top flight’s most effective full-backs, although The Baggies baulked as his £10 million price tag in the summer when first discussing a deal.
Jurgen Klopp has been forced to deploy the versatile James Milner at left-back due to concerns about the defensive ability of Alberto Moreno, while counterpart Tony Pulis has often fielded right-sider Allan Nyom on the opposite flank this season.
However, any potential hopes of bringing the 23-year-old to the Premier League appeared to have been dashed when Kolasinac revealed recently that he was in negotiations over a new contract at the Veltins Arena, but he now appears to have changed his tune somewhat.
“Many say my style of play would fit well in England. But if I move abroad, not only the club changes, but you leave your environment, need to build something new. It’s a difficult step which has to be well-considered,” Kolasinac said in quotes reported by the Liverpool Echo.
“The gut feeling decides, and I also need to talk to my family.”
Although he stopped as far as claiming he would be interested in leaving the Bundesliga, clearly Kolasinac is having some doubts about committing his future to a club who have flattered to deceive in recent years, failing to qualify for the Champions League in each of the last two seasons.
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