Wolfsburg cruise past Schalke minus City-target De Bruyne

VfL Wolfsburg enjoyed a 3-0 win over Schalke on Friday to top the Bundesliga as they draw close to agreeing a transfer with Manchester City over Kevin de Bruyne.

The 24-year-old was left out of Friday's squad with Wolfsburg poised to agree to a reported Bundesliga record fee of 74 million euros ($83.64m, £54m) before Germany's transfer window closes at 1800 (1600 GMT) on Monday.

In De Bruyne's absence, Dutch striker Bas Dost gave Wolfsburg an early lead by drilling home a 17th-minute cross before Swiss left-back Ricardo Rodriguez converted a penalty just before the hour mark.

Centre half Timm Klose then netted Wolfsburg's third goal with 61 minutes gone as his side bounced back with a convincing win compared to last weekend's uninspired 1-1 draw at Cologne.

Wolves' director of sport Klaus Allofs expects the on-going De Bruyne transfer saga to be resolved over the weekend.

"It's all about a few small details. It could be that we reach an agreement today or tomorrow," Allofs told Sky before kick-off.

The De Bruyne deal is set to smash the Bundesliga transfer record after Liverpool paid Hoffenheim 41 million euros for Brazil striker Roberto Firmino in July.

Reports suggest Wolfsburg could pocket up to 80 million euros, with an extra six million euros in bonuses, for De Bruyne if the attacking midfielder helps City win this season's Premier League title.

Schalke's Germany midfielder Julian Draxler, who played the first 73 minutes on Friday, could be his possible replacement at Wolfsburg, but Allofs added: "I could give you ten to 15 possible names".  

Croatia midfielder Ivan Perisic, who was also left out of the Wolfsburg squad, is poised to join Inter Milan for 20 million euros before the transfer window closes.

Both De Bruyne and Perisic were in the stadium to watch their team win to top the table by a point from Borussia Dortmund and third-placed defending champions Bayern Munich.

"We need players who identify themselves 100 percent with the club," explained Allofs when asked why the pair were left out.
Source: AFP