Liverpool have jumped into the battle for Schalke midfielder Leon Goretzka.
The Liverpool Echo says Schalke are ready to make Goretzka the highest paid player at the club in a bid to ward off interest from top European clubs – including Liverpool.
Liverpool are among the clubs interested in signing the 22-year-old, and are of course in a similar position with Goretzka's international teammate Emre Can, who will be able to negotiate freely with foreign clubs in January as his Reds deal runs down.
Schalke's sporting director Christian Heidel said: “We have done everything to show Leon that he is extremely important to Schalke.
"For us, there were always two options: either his contract is extended or he remains here until 2018. It was never an issue for us. We believe that it is best for him to stay here. The ball is now with Leon."