Soufiane El-Faouzi rejects West Ham to stay at Schalke 04

Soufiane El-Faouzi has remained loyal to FC Schalke 04 despite lucrative offers from abroad, turning down a move that could have taken him to the Premier League.

The 24-year-old midfielder, who joined Schalke from Alemannia Aachen in 2025, has become the engine room workhorse in the club’s midfield under coach Miron Muslic.

El-Faouzi’s performances attracted serious interest, including from West Ham United, who were reportedly prepared to meet Schalke’s valuation of more than ten million euros. However, the Siegen-born player personally vetoed the transfer, choosing instead to build his future in Gelsenkirchen.

According to Sport Bild, El-Faouzi “wanted to become the face of Schalke” rather than chase bigger money elsewhere. The emotional connection and passionate atmosphere at the club resonated deeply with him, reminiscent of the football culture he experienced around Aachen’s Tivoli stadium.

Now embarking on his first full Bundesliga season at 24, El-Faouzi is expected to play a similarly pivotal role as during Schalke’s promotion campaign, where he missed just 53 minutes across the entire season. His importance to Muslic’s tactical setup remains unquestioned, and his decision to stay highlights a rare commitment in modern football.