Schalke’s sporting director, Christian Heidel, has admitted that Max Meyer will most likely be leaving the German club this summer as Sven Mislintat reportedly makes him one of Arsenal’s top targets to replace Jack Wilshere.

“Currently, all indications [are] that he will be leaving us,” said Heidel, as reported by the Hamburger Morgenpost.

hamburger morgenpost 30 march 2018 max meyer
Hamburger Morgenpost 30 march 2018 max meyer

On Friday, the Telegraph reported that Arsenal are preparing themselves for Wilshere’s departure this summer and that Mislintat has identified the 22-year-old Schalke man as an ideal replacement.

Out of contract in the summer, he would be well within Arsenal’s budget given his current £63k-per-week wages.

Arsenal, however, are unlikely to have a free run at the free agent with Meyer coveted by top clubs across the continent. Barcelona, Liverpool and Atletico Madrid are just a few of the names that have been linked with the midfielder.

Although Mislintat’s name has been attached to Arsenal’s interest in Meyer, it precedes the head scout’s arrival. Meyer has been named as a Santi Cazorla, Mesut Ozil and Jack Wilshere replacement, although it is the Spaniard he is most like as we discussed here. We also looked at his ability to replace Cazorla in depth here too.

Just over a week ago, Schalke chairman Clemens Tonnies told German outlet Bild that they had a meeting planned with Meyer and his representative, but at the last minute those plans fell apart.

“I had an appointment with Max and his advisor, which was cancelled by his agent on short notice,” Tonnies explained.

Meyer’s current deal with Schalke expires at the end of the season. Although the Bundesliga club have made him a couple of offers to extend, he has so far turned down all offers to remain at Schalke.