Schalke skipper Benedikt Howedes has turned down approaches from Arsenal and AC Milan and will stay loyal to the Bundesliga outfit.
Howedes is a highly rated Germany international and has regularly been linked with Arsene Wenger's Arsenal. He was even advised recently by Arsenal schemer and Germany team-mate Mesut Ozil to give the Premier League a try.
But Ozil's plea has fallen on deaf ears and Howedes is determined to stay loyal to Schalke, despite the club finishing just sixth in the Bundesliga this season and as a result not qualifying for the Champions League.
"The fact is that there were very interesting offers from big clubs, but I don't consider my path here as complete", Howedes told German magazine Kicker, on the subject of interest from Arsenal and AC Milan.
And Howedes has positive feelings when it comes to the upcoming season with Schalke under new coach Andre Breitenreiter.
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The defender explained: "I know the coach is just beginning his career, but his positive nature and his enthusiasm for football and for Schalke have convinced me."
41-year-old Breitenreiter has landed at Schalke from Paderborn and replaces Roberto Di Matteo at the Ruhr giants.
Howedes, 27, is a product of Schalke's youth system and made his breakthrough to the senior ranks in 2007.
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