Wolfsburg 3-0 Schalke: Kevin De Bruyne in stands to see Wolves win

Kevin de Bruyne watched from the stands as Wolfsburg moved to the top of the Bundesliga with a commanding 3-0 home win over Schalke on Friday night.

Goals from Bas Dost, Ricardo Rodriguez and Timm Klose helped the Wolves get over the impending departures of De Bruyne and Ivan Perisic, with Schalke powerless to prevent their first defeat of the season.

Wolfsburg's director of sport Klaus Allofs says De Bruyne will join Manchester City by Saturday, but Dieter Hecking's men managed to take all three points without the Belgian and Perisic, who is expected to move to Inter Milan.

Their places were taken by Max Kruse and Daniel Caligiuri, who showed with their movement that there could still be life after the departures of the key duo.

Dost put the Wolves in front after 17 minutes when he lost his marker to turn in Christian Trasch's cross.

The goal woke the visitors up with Leroy Sane starting to look a little more active, but they could not get back on terms before the interval.

The break came at a good time for Wolfsburg, who regrouped and came out like they had started the first half, earning a penalty when Luiz Gustavo was fouled by Sead Kolasinac.

Rodriguez tucked away the spot-kick, sending Ralf Fahrmann the wrong way to give his side a firm grip on all three points.

Just two minutes later, victory was wrapped up when Rodriguez's corner was met by Klose at the near post, and he flicked the ball past Fahrmann, unmarked as the Schalke defence again looked susceptible.