Schalke 04 have had an initial loan offer with a purchase option of €4 million rejected for SK Rapid Wien centre-back Serge-Philippe Raux-Yao, according to Fussballtransfers. The newly promoted Bundesliga side are actively seeking to strengthen their defensive options ahead of their return to the German top flight.
Rapid Wien are reportedly holding out for a permanent transfer rather than accepting Schalke’s initial proposal. Interest in the 27-year-old Frenchman extends beyond Germany, with RC Lens of Ligue 1 also identified as potential suitors. Lens’s participation in the Champions League could present a significant draw for Raux-Yao.
Raux-Yao joined Rapid Wien on a free transfer from Rodez in Ligue 2, quickly establishing himself as a key figure in the Austrian Bundesliga. He has made 58 appearances in the league for Rapid Wien, demonstrating consistent form and reliability. Last season, he was a regular starter as Rapid Wien reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa Conference League.
Schalke identified central defence as an area needing reinforcement following their promotion. The club’s sporting director, Marc Wilmots, is understood to be prioritising a physical and commanding presence in the heart of the defence, qualities that Raux-Yao possesses at 1.97m tall. The potential €4 million fee represents a reasonable valuation for a player who has proven himself in a competitive European league.
The rejection of Schalke’s loan offer suggests Rapid Wien are confident in their ability to either negotiate a higher fee or attract alternative offers from clubs willing to meet their demands. The situation could evolve rapidly as Schalke weigh up whether to pursue a revised bid or explore alternative defensive targets. Securing a centre-back of Raux-Yao’s calibre would provide a significant boost to Schalke’s defensive stability as they prepare for the challenges of the Bundesliga.
