Schalke, who have entered the winter break in fifth place, did not say on Monday whether they have the right to complete a full transfer of the 25-year-old who has been at Augsburg since 2017.

Gregoritsch seemed set for a summer move to Werder Bremen but talks collapsed, and then then fell out of favour in Augsburg after complaining about not getting much playing time.

“I am looking forward to this new challenge and see playing at such a big club as a big chance for myself,” Gregoritsch said in a Schalke statement.

Schalke sports director Jochen Schneider said that Gregoritsch, who has 29 goals in 125 top flight matches, “will bolster our attack with the quality he has already proven in the Bundesliga.”