The summer transfer window is notorious for its drama, and this year is no exception. Schalke and QPR have been entangled in a frustrating “will they, won’t they” saga that ultimately led to a breakdown in negotiations.
Schalke’s Frustration with QPR
Schalke has publicly criticized Queens Park Rangers following the collapse of their transfer dealings for striker Pape Meissa Ba—not once, but twice this summer. The German club announced that they had reached agreements on two separate occasions concerning the 28-year-old forward, only for QPR to walk away from the deal both times.
In an official statement, Schalke expressed their disappointment, saying:
> “Despite FC Schalke 04 and Queens Park Rangers having twice reached an agreement over the transfer of Pape Meïssa Ba, the move will now not go ahead. The English Championship side informed the Royal Blues of their decision in the early hours of Wednesday.”
Criticism from Schalke’s Sports Board
Frank Baumann, Schalke’s board member for sport, did not hold back in his criticism of QPR’s conduct. He stated:
> “We are very frustrated with QPR’s conduct over the past two weeks. This period has been marked by delays without any substantive explanation, as well as days without any responses to calls or official messages. For us, a transfer—especially after two agreements between the clubs—should be handled in a more cooperative manner.”
Baumann noted that Schalke had refrained from making public comments to respect the player involved. However, concerns raised by QPR regarding Ba’s fitness ultimately led to the deal’s collapse.
Defense of Pape Meissa Ba
In response to QPR’s concerns, Baumann assured fans of Ba’s fitness, stating:
> “Pape has made over 30 competitive appearances in each of the past four years and was in good physical condition during our pre-season preparations. The concerns raised by Queens Park Rangers are not new—they have already been taken into account in four previous transfers. They clearly do not prevent him from carrying out his duties as a professional footballer, as his average of more than 30 matches per season demonstrates. Our priority now is to get Pape back into training as quickly as possible.”
Ba joined Schalke in January from French side Grenoble, scoring twice in 13 appearances in the 2. Bundesliga. Before that, he netted over 50 goals in Ligue 2 and lower divisions in France.
Previous Clash with Another EFL Club
Interestingly, this isn’t Schalke’s first dispute with an EFL club this year. In May, Plymouth Argyle expressed their frustration over manager Miron Muslic’s departure to the German side following their relegation to League One. Plymouth’s statement then stated they had “reluctantly allowed” talks to begin, leading to an open letter from club owner Simon Hallett, who criticized Muslic’s manner of exit and claimed he could never return to the club.
What’s Next for Schalke and QPR?
After two games in the 2. Bundesliga, Schalke has recorded one win and one loss, with VFL Bochum up next. On the other hand, QPR will have to search for striking reinforcements elsewhere, as Muslic appears set to keep Ba in his squad. Given these recent challenges, Schalke might want to consider hiring a dedicated EFL liaison officer for their future forays into the English market!