Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is on red alert following reports that Schalke will be letting their Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar leave in January for only £3 million
The 31-year-old Dutchman, who is currently on the last year of his Schalke contract, has refused to extend his stay at the Veltins-Arena, and this has prompted the Bundesliga side to sell the striker in January rather than see his go on a free transfer next summer.
Wenger, who is an admirer Huntelaar, had made a bid for the former Real Madrid man this summer, but Schalke had rejected the offer as they were then confident that the Dutchman would be signing a new deal at the Veltins-Arena.
Now, as things have not turned out as planned, the Bundesliga club, who have hired former Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo as their new boss, are ready to cash in on their striker.
Although Arsenal are the favourites to sign the Dutch striker, Wenger will have to see off competition from fellow English Premier League sides Liverpool and Tottenham as well as Turkish outfit Galatasaray, due to Schalke low asking price for Huntelaar.
However, Galatasaray's chances of landing the striker are relatively low as Huntelaar, who has had spells with Ajax, Real Madrid and AC Milan, is reportedly interested in playing in the Premier League.
"It's a nice league and you never know what could happen," Huntelaar told the Express, when asked if he would be joining the Premier League next in the future.
"My mind is now on Schalke. I have a contract until the end of the season, maybe we're going to talk someday."
Meanwhile, Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez claims that the Premier League is the toughest competition he has ever played in.
The Chilean, who has made an impressive start to his Arsenal career, winning the club's Player of the Month and Goal of the Month accolades in September, says that he is enjoying the Premier League despite the intensity of the competition.
"Compared to the other leagues I've played in, I think this is the hardest and I like it a lot, I really do," Sanchez told Arsenal's official website.
Although Sanchez is capable of playing in the left, right and centre attacking position, the Chilean admits he is "slightly more comfortable" when deployed on the left wing.
"I can run and cut inside, but any position is good for me as long as I'm playing football because I hate being on the bench," he explained. "If you take me off it's like you're taking the ball off me."
