NYCFC manager Pascal Jansen chose not to respond to Schalke sporting director Frank Baumann, who expressed irritation over MLS club’s conduct after the Moussa Sylla transfer failed due to a failed medical.

“I don’t think that’s wise,” Jansen said when asked for a comment on Baumann’s statement, following the club’s decision not to issue a response. “Those were the words from Germany and Schalke in this situation, and we’ve said what we’ve wanted to say, and I’m going to stick to it.”

Earlier, Baumann had sent a statement expressing disbelief at the cancellation of the 26-year-old Mali international’s move.

“We are irritated by the behavior of New York City FC,” Baumann told The Athletic. “The contracts were negotiated and signed. To postpone a failed medical check and activate a contract clause is incomprehensible — Moussa is healthy and fit. We see no reason the medical was deemed failed. We will contradict this to protect Moussa. He can be a professional footballer for another decade.”

NYCFC now faces the challenge of finding a new central striker with less than three weeks until the 2026 MLS season starts, after leading scorer Alonso Martinez suffered a torn ACL in November during international duty with Costa Rica. Sylla, who scored 16 goals last season for the 2. Bundesliga side and has four goals with two assists in 17 appearances this year for Schalke, was set to fill that gap.

“The deal fell through, and now we’re going to switch gears and try to find a new No. 9,” Jansen said. “And that’s what our focus is heading toward for the season.”

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