Bastos set for Schalke loan

Sport Bild has suggested that Schalke are on the verge of completing a loan deal for Lyon winger Michel Bastos.

The Bundesliga side had earlier agreed personal terms with the Brazilian midfielder, but they still needed to come to an agreement with the player’s club.

Sport Bild understands that the negotiations have been successfully concluded, with Schalke set to pay €1.5 million for an 18-month loan.

On top of that, the Bundesliga club will have an option to buy the player outright in the summer of 2014.

Schalke have thus concluded an excellent piece of business, having signed a perfect replacement for Lewis Holtby at a reasonable price.

Holtby was initially supposed to join Tottenham when his contract expires at the end of the season, but it appears that he will be leaving his current club in the January transfer window.

With Ibrahim Afellay still sidelined through injury, Michel Bastos is tipped to slot straight into the starting line-up at Veltins Arena.