Schmid to England?

Transfer of blue-white goalie is not an easy one!

Blue-White top goalie Nicolas Schmid(Bild: Dostal Harald)

(Bild: GEPA pictures/ Christian Moser)

Blue & White are set to lose their absolute top goalkeeper! Even though no agreement was reached on Thursday, a transfer of Nicolas Schmid to English second division club Portsmouth is looking increasingly likely. Even if the transfer is not a straightforward one...

Who will be in goal for Blau-Weiß on Saturday in the away game at GAK? Probably not Nicolas Schmid, even if the transfer to English second division side Portsmouth has not yet been finalized! Yesterday afternoon, the clubs were not yet in complete agreement. Christoph Schösswendter, who has only been in office as head of sport for a year, is working on his biggest transfer to date, which is quite a challenge.

Andi Lukse could step in against GAK, but will remain a two-goalie(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Complex regulatory issues after Brexit
On the one hand, it's not easy, because a transfer to Great Britain after Brexit is no longer a classic transfer, formalities and official issues are complex and not yet settled. On the other hand, because (also) for coach Gerald Scheiblehner one condition was clear: Before Schmid is released, a replacement must be signed of whom Blue-White is fully convinced! A planned goalkeeper rotation during the season, therefore, which should come about under time pressure.

Sporting director Schösswendter is working on his biggest transfer to date(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Two replacement candidates from abroad
"For me, sporting matters clearly take priority over economic matters," says Schösswendter. He would have preferred to keep the clear No. 1 Schmid - for whom no transfer fee would be paid next summer - at Blau-Weiß beyond the end of his contract in 2025. However, the sporting director now has two candidates from abroad to replace him. Even if Andi Lukse were to step in against GAK, he would remain the two-goalkeeper.