Schalke-U19-Kapitän Niklas Barthel: Zukunft bei den Profis ungewiss

Schalke’s U19 captain, Niklas Barthel, has recently caught the attention of other clubs, sparking transfer inquiries. The future of Barthel within FC Schalke 04 remains uncertain, as it is unclear whether the 19-year-old defender will continue with the first team, be relegated to the reserve team, or potentially depart from the club.

Despite having signed a professional contract with Schalke 04, Barthel’s position within the club seems to be under scrutiny by Raffael Tonello, head of the youth department, and Ben Manga, the team’s squad planner. Reports suggest that other unnamed clubs have shown interest in the young defender, although his agent, Jürgen Rehberg, has emphasized that Barthel is committed to his current contract and will join the team for pre-season training.

In light of the current defensive lineup for Schalke’s 2024/25 season, the possibility of Barthel’s promotion cannot be ruled out. With players like Timo Baumgartl and Marcin Kaminski expected to depart in the summer, and Leo Greiml plagued by recurring injuries, the team might look to Barthel to bolster its defensive options.

Barthel, who has been with Schalke since 2019 after previously playing for Arminia Bielefeld, has progressed through the youth ranks, captaining the U19 team until now. Known for his defensive prowess and contribution of 16 goals in 67 appearances for the U17 and U19 teams, the young talent is under contract with Schalke 04 until 2025. With his experience and potential, Barthel remains a player to watch as he embarks on his sixth year with the club.