FC Schalke 04 are in negotiations with Brighton & Hove Albion to sign Brazilian centre-back Igor Julio on loan with an option to buy, though financial terms remain unresolved.
The Bundesliga newcomers have identified the 28-year-old as a priority defensive target following their promotion, but talks are ongoing with no agreement yet reached. The primary obstacles are understood to be the loan fee and the value of the purchase option, according to German outlet Fussballdaten.
Brighton acquired Igor Julio from Italian club Fiorentina for a reported €16.5 million in 2023. The investment has yet to yield consistent returns, prompting the Sussex club to consider temporary solutions for the defender.
His recent playing history includes an unsuccessful loan spell at West Ham United, where he moved in the summer of 2025 only to see the arrangement terminated early in January due to a lack of playing time. The Brazilian now finds himself surplus to requirements at the Amex Stadium.
Schalke hope to offer the defender a route back to regular football in Germany. The Royal Blues require reinforcements at the back as they prepare for their return to the top flight, and a temporary deal with a view to permanence suits their current recruitment model.
However, the deal remains in the balance while the clubs attempt to settle the financial framework. Until the loan fee and purchase option valuation are agreed, the defender’s future remains uncertain. Both parties will need to find common ground before the transfer window progresses further.