Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick has admitted that he is flattered by transfer interest from the likes of Manchester City but insists he is not planning to leave his current team.
Having struggled for form at Roma earlier in his career, Schick has settled at Leverkusen and is enjoying a prolific 2021/22 season that has so far yielded 17 goals in just 15 Bundesliga games – only Robert Lewandowski (20) has scored more, having also played three games more.
90min revealed in late December that Manchester City are among a group of Premier League clubs keeping an eye on the Puskas Award-nominated Czech Republic international.
City are seeking a ‘number nine’ in the summer and a regimented wage structure at the Etihad Stadium could end up ruling out an approach for Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland.
Tottenham, Arsenal, West Ham and Everton have also watched Schick in action. Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick is a fan of Schick, although the Red Devils are still very much in the market for the aforementioned Haaland, despite recent claims they have pulled out.
Schick has also been linked with Real Madrid, another club keeping a close eye on Haaland, as well as Kylian Mbappe, as they consider a future without veteran striker Karim Benzema.
But amid the interest in his services, the 25-year-old Czech is keen to remain loyal to Leverkusen.
“Of course, it's nice to read when you are associated with the big clubs. But I'm really, really happy in Leverkusen and want to go to the Champions League with Bayer,” Schick told BILD.
“I love living in Germany. At the moment, I’m not thinking about another club. Everyone knows my contractual situation. And I would never cause problems for a club by pushing for a transfer.”
Schick has a contract with Leverkusen until 2025 and the club is also well in the mix to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 2019.
90min understands that in addition to Schick’s desire to stay, Leverkusen are in no rush to sell, although when the time does come, they are likely to more than double their €26m investment.
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Source : 90min