Thursday, 22nd November, 2012
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has refuted claims by former Liverpool striker Erik Meijer that he will be moving from current club Schalke in the January transfer window, with the ex-hitman fingering Arsenal as the favourites to win the race for his signature.
The 29-year-old’s contract at Schalke is due to expire next summer and so far he has not penned an extension. English Premier League sides Arsenal and Liverpool have been strongly linked with moves to snap up Huntelaar, while Schalke are still hopeful they can persuade him to pen a new deal.
The Holland international has gone on record as stating he will not be leaving Schalke in January whatever happens.
But Meijer, who notably played for Liverpool between 1999 and 2001 and Bayer Leverkusen from 1996 until 1999, told Sky Deutschland before Schalke’s 1-0 victory over Olympiacos in the Champions League last night that Huntelaar would be moving in the winter window.
Now Huntelaar has come out to quickly pour cold water on Meijer’s words.
"I heard it too", the striker was quoted as saying by Voetbal Primeur, when asked about Meijer’s comments.
"If that’s the case, then he knows more than I do because I know nothing [about it]", he concluded.
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Schalke then fielded sporting director Horst Heldt to rebuff the claims too.
"There is no offer from any club and the player has not indicated he wants to leave.
"I can only laugh and place this in the category of complete bulls**t."
Schalke are working overtime to persuade Huntelaar to remain in Gelsenkirchen, but it remains to be seen whether they will be successful in their attempt; Heldt has advised Huntelaar that he will enjoy the Champions League on a more consistent basis at Schalke than at Arsenal or Liverpool.
The Dutch goal-getter has once again shown his potency in the penalty box this season, especially in the Champions League, when he scored in both his side’s group stage matches against Arsenal.
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