Soufiane El-Faouzi would cost Celtic a record fee this summer if Schalke are to part ways with their talisman.
The German side won promotion to the Bundesliga and owe much of their league title win to the form and talents of the Morocco international.
CeltsAreHere understands that the Royal Blues do not want to lose their star man who enjoyed an excellent season at Veltins-Arena and have slapped a hefty price tag on the player.
Soufiane El-Faouzi would cost a £10 million initial fee with add-ons, which would take his number beyond the £11m Celts paid for Arne Engels back in 2024.
It is understood Schalke have also offered the player a new contract as they look to hold onto the 23-year-old for at least one more year before cashing in with Premier League and Bundesliga clubs keeping tabs.
El-Faouzi is understood to be open to a move to Celtic with Champions League football on the table.
He has been following the Scottish Premiership having been on a rival side’s radar before his breakout season in Germany last term.
We understand Celtic have not yet officially made any sort of approach for the player, but he does fit the mould of profile the Scottish champions are searching for.
We told you recently how Celtic scouts have been asked to find a box-to-box No.8 as well as a ball-winning No.6 for their engine room. That could be interpreted as long-term planning for the exits of Engels as well as Reo Hatate, who has been pushed down the pecking order at Parkhead in recent times.
Exclusive Update: Soufiane El-Faouzi’s Celtic Move Is Now Officially on the Radar – Celtic Fans Can’t Believe the £10m Parkhead Transfer Is Coming!
Breaking news has just sent shockwaves through Parkhead as the latest transfer rumours point to a potential blockbuster summer signing that could transform Celtic’s midfield. Soufiane El-Faouzi, the dynamic 23-year-old German midfielder currently starring for Schalke 04, has been described as “open to a move” to Glasgow’s famous club. This isn’t just idle gossip – it’s the kind of development that has Celtic fans across the world buzzing with excitement and disbelief.
As we enter the heart of the summer transfer window, Celtic’s board and recruitment team are already positioning themselves for one of the most exciting pieces of business in recent years. With the Scottish Premiership title still up for grabs and European football beckoning once again, the Hoops need midfield reinforcements that can provide both creativity and energy. Enter El-Faouzi – a player whose journey from the lower leagues to Bundesliga stardom has been nothing short of remarkable.
Let’s rewind to how we got here. Born in Germany to Moroccan parents, El-Faouzi made his mark in the youth ranks before progressing to Alemannia Aachen in the 2. Bundesliga. His breakout season came in 2024-25, where he helped the club secure promotion with impressive displays that caught the eye of bigger clubs. Fast-forward to July 2025, and Schalke 04 swooped in with a reported fee of just €200,000. The investment has paid dividends beyond imagination.
Last season, the 23-year-old became an instant hit at the Veltins-Arena. Playing in the 2. Bundesliga, he lit up the campaign with his tireless work rate, vision, and ability to dictate play from deep. Schalke’s dramatic promotion to the Bundesliga was largely built around his contributions. The team romped to the title, thanks in no small part to El-Faouzi’s two goals and five assists in 34 league appearances. He wasn’t just a squad player – he was a talisman. His overhead kicks, long-range strikes, and tenacious defending earned him the prestigious DFL Goal of the Season award for a stunner against Elversberg.
But now comes the moment of truth. With Bundesliga football on the horizon and Schalke unwilling to let their star depart too cheaply, the German club has slapped a £10m+ valuation on the player. That’s a record fee for Celtic – eclipsing the £11m they spent on Arne Engels just two years ago. Add-ons for performances, appearances, or European qualification could push the total well beyond that, making this one of the most expensive midfielders Celtic have ever signed.
Why Schalke won’t let him go easily? Simple: they’re protecting their investment. A new contract has been tabled, giving El-Faouzi security until at least 2029. The Royal Blues know that while the player’s market value has skyrocketed post-promotion, Premier League giants like Brentford and Sunderland, along with Italian outfit Bologna, are circling. This isn’t a fire sale – it’s a calculated stand. Yet reports indicate the midfielder is “open to a move,” specifically to Celtic.
So what makes Celtic the destination of choice? For starters, El-Faouzi has been quietly following the Scottish Premiership for years. He was even on the radar of another Scottish side before his German miracle. Champions League football is a massive draw – a chance to play in the big European leagues against the world’s elite, something that would elevate his career to new heights. At 23, he has the physical profile, the mentality, and the versatility that fits perfectly into Ange Postecoglou’s high-pressing, possession-based system.
More importantly, he ticks every box for Celtic’s long-term midfield overhaul. Recent updates from trusted sources reveal that scouts have been specifically tasked with identifying a box-to-box No.8 and a ball-winning No.6 to bolster the engine room. This isn’t just about immediate impact – it’s about succession planning. With Arne Engels potentially departing and Reo Hatate’s influence at Parkhead waning, El-Faouzi represents the modern midfielder Celtic crave: dynamic, energetic, and capable of dictating tempo.
Imagine the scene at Celtic Park: El-Faouzi in that iconic green and white Hoops kit, sprinting up and down the pitch, winning tackles, creating chances, and powering Celtic toward another domestic double or deep European run. His Morocco international pedigree adds another layer – a player who can bring African flair and work rate to the squad, boosting morale and team unity.
Of course, it’s not all plain sailing. This would be a huge outlay for the club, and with interest from multiple Premier League and European sides, Celtic would need to act decisively. But the player himself appears open-minded, and Schalke’s reluctance to sell cheaply could force a resolution soon.
For Celtic fans, this is pure joy. A young, high-potential talent at a fraction of what top players cost, with the potential to deliver Champions League nights and Premiership dominance. The Parkhead move is officially on the table, and the excitement is palpable.
As the summer window opens, keep an eye on this story. Soufiane El-Faouzi’s Celtic dream could become reality very soon – and when it does, the celebrations at Parkhead will be legendary!
