Borussia Monchengladbach are moving for Manchester City defender Ko Itakura.
After a successful loan last season, Schalke have ruled out triggering Itakura's permanent option due to City's €6m asking price.
Fussball Transfers says this has opened the door to Gladbach, which see the Japan international as a replacement for the departing Matthias Ginter.
Like Schalke, Gladbach are unhappy with the fee involved and will have to sell players to raise funds for the deal.
In England, Premier League new-boys Bournemouth and Fulham have been mentioned as suitors.