Nastasic to sign permanent deal with Schalke

Bundesliga outfit Schalke are on the verge of signing Matija Nastasic from Manchester City on permanent basis, Bild has learned.

The Serbian defender joined the Miners on a six-month loan in the January transfer window, with a buy-out clause included as well.

And while some had doubts as to whether Nastasic would be able to hit the ground running after failing to play a single game for the Citizens in over six months, the 21-year-old largely impressed at the start of his career in Germany.

The Serbia starlet started all three league fixtures since arriving at the club, helping Schalke keep two clean sheets as well as hold Bayern Munich to a 1-1 draw.

And Bild has now learned that in case Nastasic makes at least seven appearances where he spends 45 minutes or more on the pitch, a €9.5 million buy-out clause will be automatically triggered.

This means the Serbian centre-back is just four games away from joining Schalke on permanent basis and seeing his current deal extended until June 2019.