Edin Džeko's contract talks with Schalke 04 stall over salary demands

Negotiations between striker Edin Džeko and German club Schalke 04 have reached an impasse. Džeko, 40, is seeking a salary that would place him among the club’s highest‑paid players, reportedly around €1.3 million per year. Schalke’s sporting director Frank Baumann has indicated that the club can only offer a more modest increase and is weighing the financial risk, especially given the team's limited budget and Džeko’s recent injury record.

The forward has made 11 Bundesliga appearances since joining Schalke after the World Cup, scoring six goals and providing three assists, but his contract expired at the end of the season and he remains officially unattached. A meeting in Dubrovnik was reported, but no agreement has been reached, and both sides may reconvene soon. Schalke continues to explore other transfer options while Džeko considers his future, including the possibility of retirement.