Germans Dismiss Reports Of £12.5m Striker Bid From Arsenal

The summer transfer window may be closed but managers are already thinking ahead to future transfer windows so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip. Today, Schalke dismiss suggestions Arsenal made a bid for Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

Schalke have dismissed suggestions that Arsenal made a deadline day move for Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, according to reports.

Boss Arsene Wenger was on the look-out for another front-man during the closing stages of the summer transfer window after Olivier Giroud was ruled out for four months with a broken tibia.

We were linked with a whole host of names but out of nowhere, reports emerged on Monday afternoon claiming that Arsenal had trigger a £12.5m buy-out clause in Klaas-Jan Huntelaar’s contract and were trying to lure the 31-year-old to the Emirates.

However, a deal for the Dutch international failed to materialise and we ended up signing Danny Welbeck from Manchester United in a £16m deal instead.

Schalke chief Horst Heldt has now responded to the speculation surrounding Huntelaar and insists there was no approach from Arsenal for the striker on deadline day. He told reporters:

“There was no approach from Arsenal or from any other club,”

“Klaas-Jan is part of Schalke’s core. We can definitely see him sign a contract renewal here.

“He is a great player, an absolute modern professional. He’s always hungry for success and wants to achieve his goals.” Heldt is quoted as saying by the Daily Star.

Huntelaar would have been an interesting signing had we actually made a move for him but I think Wenger did the right thing in going for Welbeck. He may have been slightly more expensive but he’s eight years younger and has all the attributes to be a top centre-forward.

Some fans are skeptical about the former United forward, but I feel he’s going to prove to be an astute purchase and he may even keep Giroud out of the starting eleven when the Frenchman returns from injury in the New Year.