Schalke 04 are keen on signing Shinji Okazaki on loan from Leicester City.

Sport1 is reporting that the German club are keen on bringing the Japanese striker back to the Bundesliga for the remainder of the season, following his successful stint there with VfB Stuttgart and FSV Mainz.

Okazaki, 30, was a key contributor as the Foxes shocked the football world by winning the Premier League title last season.

But he has started in just 10 league matches for Claudio Ranieri this term and could be persuaded to return to Germany for regular football.

Markus Weinzierl's side recently signed Guido Burgstaller from FC Nurnberg, but with Breel Embolo injured and doubts over veteran Dutchman Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, the Royal Blues are eyeing another attacker this January.

Schalke sporting director Christian Heidel signed Okazaki from Stuttgart when he had a similar role at Mainz in 2013.