Schalke looking to sell stars, reveals Magath

Schalke 04 coach Felix Magath admitted Saturday the cash-strapped Royal Blues are looking to sell some of their stars as the Bundesliga side try to reduce their wage bill.

Last Thursday, Schalke announced they had trimmed 25.5 million euros off their debts – reported to be in excess of 180 million euros – but their top names could be sold to lower their reported wage bill of 55 million euros.

“Even if we have some breathing space now, we must – and will – considerably reduce our wage bill for next season,” Magath told German tabloid Bild.

“Up to the sale of goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, everything is possible.”

Neuer is being groomed as a Germany goalkeeper of the future by national coach Joachim Loew and Schalke are desperate to hold onto the 23-year-old.

But ex-Germany striker Kevin Kuranyi and Brazilian defender Rafinha top a list of eight players Bild claim Magath is keen to move on to ease their wage bill.

The others are strikers Halil Altintop and Gerald Asamoah, plus midfielders Levan Kobiashvili, Ivan Rakitic, Vicente Sanchez and Albert Streit.

Schalke host league leaders Leverkusen at the Veltins Arena on Saturday and are fourth in the table.