German Bundesliga side Mainz 05 are on the verge of missing out on a cash windfall for their Nigerian defender Leon Balogun, whose contract with the club will expire at the end of the current German Bundesliga season.
Balogun joined the team three years ago as a free agent from SV Darmstadt 98. A move which surprised many as he played a very big role in helping the modest team secure promotion to the Bundesliga.
He signed a three year deal with Mainz 05 in the summer of 2015, and with his current deal running out in the summer, the 29 year old is set to leave the club as a free agent this summer.
Expected to play a leading role for Nigeria at the World Cup, he has already gained the attention of top clubs in Germany with Schalke 04 listed among clubs interested in his services when his contract runs out at Mainz 05.
This season he has struggled for game time at Mainz 05 with just 12 games to his name this season, but his form for Nigeria has caught the eyes with his central defence partnership with William Troost-Ekong earning the duo the nickname ‘Oyibo Wall’.