Sevilla’s Yevhen Konoplyanka will make his loan deal at Schalke permanent this summer, according to the German club's sporting executive Christian Heidel.
The Ukrainian international joined the Bundesliga side on a season-long loan deal with an option to buy last summer but has started only four league matches this campaign and is yet to find his best form.
The option to buy is reported to be in the region of €12m but will only be activated if a minimum number of appearances are reached this season.
"Even though he did not make the squad today, you have to clearly say that we would like to and will keep him," Heidel told reporters following the 1-1 draw at Cologne on Sunday.
"We believe that Kono can be very, very important for us. Nobody at Schalke doubts his footballing qualities.”
