Schalke 04 sporting director Christian Heidel has confirmed that his outfit are locked in talks with English Premier League champions Chelsea about taking Baba Rahman on laon for a second successive season.

Rahman made 21 appearances for Schalke before suffering a cruciate ligament rupture and cartilage damage in his left knee while representing Ghana in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in January.

The former Augsburg left back has been linked with a loan switch to Fenerbahce, but a return to Gelsenkirchen could be on the cards before the end of the transfer window.

Nevertheless, Heidel insists that any move for the 23-year-old will be weighed against how long it will take him to return to full fitness.

"We are in talks with the player, his agent and Chelsea," Heidel told Schalke's official website.

"Ultimately, it is about when Baba will be able to play again. No decision has been made yet."