That's why Zurich cancels

Deal falls through – but no comeback at Sturm

Andreas Schicker has several interested parties for Amadou Dante.(Bild: Sepp Pail)

David Schnegg's move to the USA is more or less fixed, Amadou Dante is probably also off the board. Even though FC Zurich has now backed out of the purchase option for Sturm's left-back. That's why sporting director Andreas Schicker is not letting his hair grow gray, there are also other candidates. 

Everything was actually under wraps, but FC Zurich suddenly backed out on Friday. "It was practically a done deal. The club had informed me that they would be exercising the purchase option for Amadou Dante anchored in the loan contract," explains Head of Sport Andreas Schicker. But then the U-turn: According to Swiss newspapers, the reason was the transfer fee. Allegedly, Franco Foda's former club did not want to pay the entire sum at once.

Amadou made very good use of the Zurich platform in the spring. There are also other interested parties for him.

Sturms Sportchef Andreas Schicker

The 23-year-old left-back, who is still under contract with the double winners until 2026, has become a regular for the club that finished fourth last season since his transfer in February, playing 14 games for the Swiss side and scoring two goals. However, it is unlikely that the Mali international (market value €1.5 million) will be back in the black kit for the Ilz team's training session on June 21.

Head of Sport Andreas Schicker is looking for reinforcements in three positions.(Bild: Sepp Pail)

"Amadou made very good use of the Zurich platform in the spring. There are also other interested parties for him," emphasizes Schicker, who has cast his transfer fishing rod for three positions (centre-back, left-back, 10). Sturm already have one new signing on board, Danish midfielder Tochi Chukwuani (21), who signed in March.