Sunderland are being linked with a summer move for FC Schalke 04 central midfielder Soufiane El-Faouzi, with the 23-year-old Germany‑Morocco dual national rated at €4.00m.
The 2. Bundesliga club are understood to be braced for interest in the right-footed midfielder, who features primarily in central midfield and wears the number 23 shirt for Schalke. According to data compiled on 12 May 2026, the probability of a move to Sunderland has been listed at 32%, reflecting early-stage speculation rather than an advanced negotiation.
El-Faouzi, born on 13 July 2002 in Siegen, is regarded as one of the more intriguing young midfielders in the German second tier. Standing at 1.78m, he has been deployed in a central role for Schalke, combining defensive work with distribution from deep. His current market valuation of €4.00m suggests any deal would likely be structured well below the fees usually commanded by established Premier League regulars.
There is no publicly available information on when his current Schalke deal is due to end, and no contract expiry date is recorded in the latest data. That uncertainty has fuelled talk that he could become a potential bargain either in a cut-price transfer or, further down the line, as a free agent should his situation not be resolved.
El-Faouzi’s recent performances in the 2. Bundesliga have kept him in the shop window, with the midfielder featuring for Schalke against domestic opposition this season as the Gelsenkirchen side look to stabilise following their drop from the top flight. Detailed figures from individual matches, including specific opponents, dates, scorelines and his minute-by-minute contributions, have not been publicly disclosed in the data provided, but his presence in the squad underlines his growing importance.
With Sunderland eyeing further reinforcement in midfield as they look to consolidate and progress, a successful move to England’s top division would represent a significant step in El-Faouzi’s career and could prove pivotal in shaping both his reputation and long-term potential.
