Aouchiche is currently on loan at Aberdeen, where he's been a regular this season, but he was missing from the squad for today's 3-0 defeat to Kilmarnock, with the 2. Bundesliga leaders making a late push to sign the 23-year-old.
Aouchiche is said to be keen on the move, with reports in Germany saying Schalke and Sunderland are in advanced talks.
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Aouchiche joined Sunderland from Lorient in the summer of 2023. He made 28 appearances in his first campaign at the club but slipped down the pecking order after the arrival of Regis Le Bris, who had previously managed the forward in France.
Aouchiche made eight appearances in the first half of last season before joining Portsmouth on loan a year ago.
He then linked up with Aberdeen in the summer, and he's played in 20 Scottish Premiership games but the opportunity to move to Germany is said to appeal.
Schalke, who are managed by former Plymouth boss Miron Muslic, are currently top of the second tier in Germany.
Meanwhile, Anthony Patterson is set to leave Sunderland for Millwall ahead of Monday's deadline after the Black Cats agreed a deal to sign Swedish goalkeeper Melker Ellborg.
Ellborg, who has impressed Sunderland's recruitment chiefs since his breakthrough at Malmö, was due on Wearside today to complete his medical and will sign for £3m.
Sunderland believe Ellborg has a very similar profile to No.1 Robin Roefs, both technically and physically, and the Black Cats' preference for a new second choice goalkeeper this month has always been a young player with potential.
Patterson's move to Millwall will present last season's No.1 at Sunderland with the opportunity of regular match minutes after he lost his place in the side in the summer following the arrival of Roefs.