German International Lewis Holtby is a reported target of English clubs Arsenal and Liverpool. Though it is reported that the Bundesliga outfit are in pursuit after the player for extending his contract, their sporting director Horst Heldt has advised the player to listen to other options before deciding on his future. Speaking to the German media, the manager spoke with an open heart and claimed that he is not putting any pressure over the 22 year old and believes that the youngster has to decide on his future.
Lewis Holtby – Liverpool and Arsenal transfer target“We are in intensive talks with Lewis (Holtby). I would be glad to see him decide in our favor then. Still it is very important for him to take his time and look into options at other clubs,” he told Deutsche Presseagentur. It’s the only way for him to find out that Schalke 04 is the right choice for him as a player.”
It is the youngster’s first full season at Schalke and already has impressed scouts across Europe to attract top clubs and as the German International is out of contract with Schalke at the end of this season, there is a continued rise in speculation over the player’s future, who is yet to agree new terms with the German club.
At this age when you are playing at Schalke in German league, it is easy to be noticed by top flight clubs and players tend to be attracted with the brand of football and most importantly the brand image if the club. With Arsenal and Liverpool swirling around his feet, it is completely up to the youngster to decide his future. And from his performances in Champions league and especially at Emirates earlier this month made Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to make a note of the midfielder.
And with a new twist in the transfer saga, it was claimed that the 22 year old demanded Schalke for a 300 percent wage increase, which the club’s sporting director Horst Heldt refused to accept.
I cannot confirm today’s headlines in the media about Lewis Holtby but we’re in a constant, good exchange,” he revealed. Holtby’s representative Markus Noack denied the claims about his client’s wage demands.
“These numbers have been plucked from the air, Ultimately, it was only myself, Horst Heldt and [Schalke sporting director] Gerhard Zuber sitting at the negotiating table. To my knowledge, no media representatives were there, so how would they know?
“The press are building it up more than they should. It could be the club trying to add some pressure because, if I put myself in their position, then I can understand that they might want to panic both the player and his agent. We have seen this in the past.”
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