Schalke hits transfer market as Bayern and Dortmund quiet
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) - With Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund making no last-minute moves, Bundesliga rival Schalke and other clubs signed new players as the transfer deadline expired Wednesday with record spending.
Schalke's latest addition to an already heavily revamped squad was attacking midfielder Yevhen Konoplyanka from Sevilla. The Ukraine international, Sevilla win the Europa League last season, arrives on a one-season loan with an option to make the move more permanent.
"We are very pleased to have gotten a quick player who is a scoring threat and can play on both wings," coach Markus Weinzierl said.
According to the German news agency dpa's calculation, based on estimates, Bundesliga clubs 500 million euros ($556 million) for the first time by spending 506.5 million euros ($565.66 million) on new players. At the same time, the 18 clubs earned about 450 million euros ($502.56 million) from transfers, another all-time high.
Schalke reshuffled its squad following the departure of winger Leroy Sane for Manchester City, bringing in 16 new players while letting 10 go. Coach Weinzierl is also a new arrival.
Konoplyanka reunites with former Sevilla defender Coke. But the right back suffered a serious right-knee injury on arrival and is not available.
Dortmund already had signed eight new players and made no new moves as the deadline approached.
Here's a look at other major moves by Bundesliga clubs on the last day of the transfer window:
BAYER LEVERKUSEN
One club that gave up players was Leverkusen, a Champions League participant considered one of the contenders for a high finish in the Bundesliga. Leverkusen sent two defenders on loan to Bundesliga rivals. Kyriakos Papadopoulos went to RB Leipzig and Andre Ramalho moved to Mainz. Both clubs have an option to buy out their contracts.
Leverkusen signed Austria defender Aleksandar Dragovic ahead of the season.
WERDER BREMEN
After losing the Bundesliga opener to Bayern Munich 6-0, Bremen is acquiring midfielder Serge Gnabry from Arsenal. The Germany under-21 player was the top scorer for the silver medal-winning team at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics earlier this month.
At the same time, Bremen sent defender Leon Guwara on loan to Darmstadt.
RB LEIPZIG:
The promoted club has sent defender Atinc Nukan back to Besiktas on loan. In addition to Papadopoulos, Leipzig has signed Brazilian defender Bernardo and Scottish midfielder Oliver Burke in recent days.
INGOLSTADT
Central defender Marcel Tisserand has arrived from Monaco on a four-year deal.
EINTRACHT FRANKFURT
Frankfurt has taken forward Shani Tarashaj from Everton on loan for one season. The Swiss international is expected to take the place of Ante Rebic, who is out until further notice with mononucleosis.