Schalke 04 want to keep Julian Draxler

Schalke 04's general manager Horst Heldt has insisted that the club are eager to keep hold of Julian Draxler beyond the end of the current campaign.

The 19-year-old has been linked with a host of clubs, including Manchester United, Chelsea and the two Milan-based teams.

However, Heldt believes that if Schalke can secure Champions League football for next season, they will have a decent chance of convincing the midfielder to stay put.

"Julian Draxler is under contract at our club and he is an important player," Heldt told Bild. "We want to keep him at our club for as long as possible. It's our obligation to ensure he feels fine being with us.

"From our point of view, it would be helpful to win a berth in the UEFA Champions League for next season. This would be a boost."

Draxler, who has made three appearances for the German national team, joined Schalke as a trainee in 2001.