Schalke 04 have quoted Premier League pair Arsenal and Chelsea a fee of €70 million if they want to sign rising German star Julian Draxler.
Both Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger have been linked with a move for Draxler, 20, who has nine caps for his country.
In an interview with German newspaper Bild, Schalke general manager Horst Heldt said: “He [Draxler] has a long-term contract and there is no reason he is guaranteed to leave next summer.
“We are in regular contact. He feels right and has decided to stay at Schalke. We are planning with Julian, but if an offer over €70 million comes in what do I say then?
“We plan to keep him, but everything else in this crazy world of football I cannot control.”
A worldwide television audience will get to see what all the fuss is about this evening as Schalke host Chelsea in Gelsenkirchen in the Champions League group stage.
Draxler spoke to Bild himself earlier this summer about his future prospects.
“When the requests came in from other top European clubs I pondered them,” he said.
“It is an open secret that I might want to go one day for a change, but for now I am glad to be at Schalke. There is no decision that I’m going in 2014.
“I am attracted mainly to Spain. Even England has a super league. Today I would say I would only enter into a new challenge abroad.”
Arsenal and Chelsea currently have a plethora of forward-thinking midfield options on their books.
The Gunners added record signing Mesut Ozil on transfer deadline day to names like Santi Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey, Tomas Rosicky and Jack Wilshere.
Mourinho meanwhile can call on Kevin de Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Juan Mata, Oscar, Andre Schurrle and Willian to fill his three attacking midfield berths at the Blues.
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
