Free-agent scramble on as Liverpool, Arsenal, Spurs target’s exit confirmed

Liverpool and Arsenal target Max Meyer will leave Schalke this summer, the Bundesliga club’s sporting director has confirmed.

The 22-year-old midfielder’s contract expires in June and now he will leave the Gelsenkirchen-based club for a new challenge.

The free agent has been linked with Liverpool, Arsenal, Spurs, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, but as yet he has given no indication as to where his future may lie.

“At the moment we can and must expect that Max leaves the club in the summer,” director Christian Heidel said. “Everything suggests that.

“There is no offer from us and no wish from Max to have a conversation again.”

Meyer has turned down two offers from Schalke – the latter believed to be around £5million a year to make him the club’s highest earner.

Meyer, who has played as a holding midfielder this season for Domenico Tedesco, turned down a new contract last year and he turned his back on an improved offer last month.

He has made 27 appearances this season and helped Schalke into second place in the Bundesliga table and can also play in an advanced midfield role.