Arsenal have been told by Schalke that highly-rated midfielder Leon Goretzka will not be sold this summer, despite his current deal having just 12 months to run.

According to reports, Schalke want to keep the 22-year-old at the Veltins-Arena even if that means losing him for free the following summer. Arsenal were one of many clubs interested in Goretzka, but the club sporting executive Christian Heidel says the German international isn’t going anywhere.

“We will go into an exciting season with Breel Embolo and Leon Goretzka,” he said at SChalke’s AGM on Sunday. The player himself was keen to play down rumours but did hint that the situation could change after he returns from the Confederations Cup with Germany.

Given Schalke finished 10 in the Bundesliga, there’s little motivation keeping Goretzka at the club, especially considering he’s yet to extend his deal past next summer. Last season, the midfielder made 30 Bundesliga appearances, scoring and creating eight goals.

His asking price was believed to be around £21m but Schalke might put up more resistance following their latest announcement.