Schalke sporting director Christian Heidel insists that his side have not given up hope of keeping in-demand Leon Goretzka, who has been linked with a number of top clubs, including Liverpool, Barcelona and Arsenal.
Goretzka is out of contract at Schalke at the end of the season and is an increasingly attractive target for several clubs.
Despite not having managed to thrash out a contract renewal agreement with Goretzka, Heidel says Schalke have not yet given up on keeping the player and remain firmly in the race to do so.
"We are still in the race", the sporting director told German magazine Kicker.
"Leon must get the feeling that something is happening at Schalke", he added.
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Schalke have enjoyed a positive opening to the campaign and sit in fourth spot in the Bundesliga standings, just six points off league leaders Bayern Munich.
But the jury is out on whether Schalke will be able to convince Goretzka to snub a big pay day and tempting switch to La Liga or the Premier League.
