Schalke are hoping they can secure Matija Nastasic on a permanent deal from Manchester City.
The Serbian defender joined the German club on loan from City in January and has impressed so much during his time in Gelsenkirchen that general manager Horst Heldt wants him and is willing to pay the £7million buy-out clause.
"There is an option to buy Matija Nastasic, that comes into force after a certain amount of minutes he's played and Nastasic's first weeks in general," Heldt said.
"I always confirmed, and I do so now, is that we have an option to buy, but this option is conditioned on several situations which must arise. That is a good paraphrase.
"I can confirm that it is connected to situations which must arise. I don't want to narrow it down that it is just connected on appearances, but they are a subject."
