Schalke have warned Arsenal and Liverpool that striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar will not be leaving the club in January.

The Premier League duo have been strongly linked with the Dutch hit-man, who could be available a bargain rate in the New Year.

Huntelaar’s current deal with the Bundesliga outfit is set to expire at the end of the season, meaning that he may well leave the club for free.

It has been rumoured that Schalke are willing to cash in this January, with a fee in the region of £4m being much more attractive than the prospect of losing their star attacker for nothing next summer.

However, the club’s general manager Horst Heldt has hit back at speculation, insisting that, as far he is concerned, Huntelaar is not leaving:

"These stories are nothing more than rumours.” he is quoted by The Metro.

“As of today, I have not heard anything from any club.”

The 29-year-old has been heavily linked with Liverpool, who have sent scouts to watch him on numerous occasions. The Reds are in the market for a prolific goal scorer and Huntelaar’s record of 42 strikes in 70 appearances is thought to have tempted them.

Arsenal are also interested, with manager Arsene Wenger keen to improve his squad for domestic and continental campaigns.

The Dutchman has played for the likes of Real Madrid, Ajax, AC Milan and PSV Eindhoven and won 59 caps at international level.