FC Schalke 04 now has to fight for every inch in defence, as 19‑year‑old Mertcan Ayhan faces fresh competition. The young centre‑back, who helped his side to a 1‑0 win over Eintracht Braunschweig on 17 May 2026, is set to battle Igor Julio from Brighton, who is expected to arrive on loan.

Who is Mertcan Ayhan?

Ayhan, born in Gelsenkirchen, delivered convincing performances in his debut season and reached a market value of €8 million. He is the second‑most valuable player in the royal blue squad after Soufiane El‑Faouzi (23, €9 million). In his first season he proved he can combine aerial strength with good positioning in the back line. His contract runs until 2029 with an option for an extra year, prompting the club to keep developing him.

Why is Igor Julio arriving?

Brighton want to loan the 28‑year‑old Brazilian for a season. If he joins, he will compete with Hasan Kurucay (28), Nikola Katić (29) and Timo Becker (29) for a starting spot. The move would give Schalke extra depth, especially as the team currently sits 1st in the 2. Bundesliga with 70 points, 21 wins, 7 draws and 6 losses from 34 games. The 8‑point lead over SV Elversberg leaves little room for mistakes.

How does this affect the season?

So far Schalke has scored 50 goals and conceded 31, a +19 goal difference that makes the defence look solid. The current form (WLWWW) shows the side has recorded 3 wins, 0 draws, 2 losses in its last five matches, with the most recent two games delivering a 2‑game winning run. If Ayhan embraces the competition, he could gain more minutes and make the back line even tougher – a factor crucial for securing promotion.

What does this mean for Ayhan’s future?

Ayhan dreams of becoming a Turkish international. Strong performances in the 2. Bundesliga could give him the boost he needs. The club now faces a choice: sell the promising defender for a good fee when his contract will have only one year left next summer, or extend and keep him long‑term. Either way, he remains ready to fight for the competition, as he said after the World Cup experience in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

At the moment Schalke sits on 70 points at the top of the table, aiming to cement its promotion spot. Ayhan’s development and the possible arrival of Julio could make the team even stronger, while fans hope the top talent will take the next step toward international recognition.