Schalke are set to hold onto Blackburn Rovers midfielder Jermaine Jones.
The Lancashire Telegraph says Rovers boss Steve Kean revealed when he signed Jones from Schalke in January that he was eager to bring the midfielder to the club on a permanent basis in the summer, although he was unable to agree a fixed price with the German club.
Jones was loaned out by Schalke after falling out of favour with coach Felix Magath, having previously made his way back from a broken leg.
But the former Bayern Munich boss departed Schalke earlier this month and has been replaced by Rolf Rangnick, who now considers the 29-year-old midfielder part of his plans.
"In recent years I found Jones always good in the Bundesliga until his injury break," said Rangnick.
Schalke's general manager Horst Heldt confirmed: "Of course, Jermaine returns in the summer to us."
