“?Leicester City striker Shinji Okazaki could be set for a return to Germany this month, with Schalke desperate to bring a new forward in to soften the blow of losing their strike force through injury.
According to German news source Bild (H/T “?Fussball Transfers), the 30-year-old has emerged as a target for the struggling Bundesliga side, who currently sit in 11th place on the league table.
German newspaper Bid reporting Shinji Okazaki could be a loan target for Schalke. #LCFC pic.twitter.com/eZsiJ8rOBH
Having joined the Foxes from FSV Mainz for £9m in 2015, the Japanese front-man played a huge part in their title success last season. He made 28 Premier League appearances, scoring five goals in the process, but has seen his playing time dwindle in this campaign, making only three starts so far and playing just one full match.
Jamie Vardy’s spot up front is already secure, and Claudio Ranieri’s purchasing of Ahmed Musa and Islam Slimani has made things quite difficult for the attacker.
Schalke, meanwhile, have a crisis on their hands as they look to begin the second part of the season. Breel Embolo and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar are both injured, while Eric Choupo-Moting is unavailable due to the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, despite turning down a call-up from Cameroon.
His fate, much like that of Liverpool’s Joel Matip, is yet unknown, with the club still in the dark over whether he will be allowed to return before the end of the tournament.
The club’s sporting director Christian Heidel is frantically searching for alternatives. He is said to be very disappointed over missing out on signing Luiz Adriano, who chose to join Spartak Moscow from AC Milan this week.
Heidel is already familiar with Okazaki, having been employed by Mainz during the player’s two-year stint over there, and knows what he could offer his side.
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