TheSportsCampus

Arsenal are amongst a number of clubs, including Premier League rivals Liverpool and Everton, and Italian giants Inter Milan, looking to prise away Schalke midfielder Lewis Holtby from the German side when his contract expires at the end of the current season.

The Germany international, with 2 international caps already, signed for Schalke in 2009 and his contract runs out in the summer of 2013. According to reports in the media, Holtby is considering offers from English clubs and is free to sign a pre-contract deal in January, though Schalke remain in negotiations over an extension of the contract to keep their star player.

Holtby has been influential for the German side this season with 3 goals and 7 assists so far. He has the ability to play in various roles, from a deep-lying playmaker to a traditional midfielder or further forward as a No.10. He has caught the eye of several clubs with his impressive displays for Schalke this season, especially his performances against Arsenal in the Champions League.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is known to be courting Holtby for some time now and could consider making a move in the January transfer window or over the summer for more options in midfield. Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is also a known admirer of the young German as he looks to bring about a revolution at the club and Holtby would be perfect addition to his ideology.