Ghana striker Bernard Tekpetey set to leave Schalke

Ghana attacker Bernard Tekpetey is on the verge of leaving German top-flight side Schalke with eight clubs keen on him, Ghanasoccernet.com can exclusively reveal.

The 20-year-old has been given permission to negotiate with other clubs because of the anticipated lack of first team playing time with the Bundesliga side.

Agents close to Tekpetey have told Ghanasoccernet.com that, the player is negotiating with three clubs in Germany, one in Austria and four Eastern European sides.

He will have the chance to decide whether to move on loan or take a permanent but the terms must be approved by Schalke before they decide to release him.

The versatile player, who has been used in midfield in pre-season this term, was missing in the Schalke team when they defeated Essen 1-0 in a friendly on Friday.

Schalke coach Domenico Tedesco says they have permitted the player to talk to other clubs, knowing that he will have limited playing time because of the talents in the squad.

"We are torn. Especially in the offensive area we have a lot of staff. You just have to figure out exactly how many games Bernard would play for us," coach Domenico Tedesco:

Tekpetey is still under contract with the Royal Blues until 2020.

In August 2017, Tekpetey was lent to the Austrian first division club SCR Altach.

The loan was terminated prematurely in January 2018 - "consensual," it said at the time in the official statement released by both sides.

Latif Blessing hints at USA nationality switch

Reportedly frustrated at a lack of call-ups for the Ghanaian national team, Los Angeles Football Club attacker Latif Blessing is hinting at the possibility of one day playing for the US national team.

In response to a picture posted on Instagram of a USA jersey with Blessing and No. 7 on the back, Blessing wrote “#DREAM” followed by three American flags, “heart emoji IS GOD.”

This isn’t the first time the 21-year-old, who was included in the provisional Ghanaian squad for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, but wasn’t selected for the final 23-man roster, mentioned his desire to one day don that US jersey.

“I am ready to switch nationality and play for USA. I’m not focused on the Black Stars because I have done enough to merit an invite but to no avail,” Blessing told Happy FM in January. “One man's poison is another man's food, so if I don't get chance to play for Ghana and USA offer me the opportunity, I will grasp it with my two hands.”

Of course, that is easier said than done. Blessing is through the first hurdle, obtaining his green card in Nov. 2017, but he would still need to obtain US citizenship, and then file the proper paperwork with FIFA to become eligible, a process that will take several more years to complete.

A year after scoring three goals in 25 league appearances for Sporting Kansas City, Blessing has blossomed under Bob Bradley with five goals in 19 appearances — 14 starts.