Schalke fighting hard to keep Liverpool, Arsenal target Goretzka

Schalke have not given up hope on keeping midfielder Leon Goretzka despite interest from Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Arsenal and Barcelona.

The Germany star is out of contract at the end of the season and is understood to have met Schalke president Clemens Tonnies this week to resolve his future.

“There’s nothing new to report,” Schalke’s sporting director Christian Heidel is cited as saying by ESPN.

“All of the club, including Tonnies, is fighting to keep him here.”

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Sport Bild and Marca have reported that the 22-year-old has opted to join Bayern Munich at the end of the season, but the player’s agent Jorg Neubauer has denied the reports.

Heidel has confirmed there is an offer from the club on the table – believed to be in the region of €12million per year – a deal which would make the highest paid player in Bundesliga history.

And Heidel told Funke Mediengruppe earlier this month: “It will not be long before a decision is announced, and it will not drag out until the end of January.

“Schalke cannot offer any more nor do any more than we already have.

“Leon wanted to wait and see how Schalke’s sporting development went. It’s been six months.”