Tuesday, 2nd July, 2013
Schalke are not giving up on their chase of Fulham defender Sascha Riether, with sporting director Horst Heldt hinting the 30-year-old is part of his attempts to streamline the Bundesliga outfit.
The Royal Blues have been strengthening their midfield ranks well this summer, having tied Julian Draxler to a long-term deal, offering Max Meyer a professional contract and signing Leon Goretzka from VfL Bochum.
They have already added centre-back Felipe Santana from Borussia Dortmund, and are keen on Fulham’s former 1.FC Koln man Riether.
Riether spent all of last season on loan with the Cottagers, and was eventually bought by Martin Jol’s side, but that has not dampened spirits at Schalke.
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"In the coming days we will be trying to streamline the squad", Heldt told a press conference via his club’s feed. "The interest in Sascha Riether is still there."
On the other side of the fence, Schalke are fending off interest in Jefferson Farfan, who was once on the radars of Manchester United and Chelsea, but on this occasion, it is Turkish outfit Galatasaray that are in the hunt.
Former PSV Eindhoven winger Farfan has been a regular with Schalke since debuting in the 2008/09 season and has made 191 appearances scoring 41 goals for them.
And Heldt has categorically refused any negotiations on the 28-year-old, adding: "Galatasaray have shown an interest in Jefferson Farfan but we have no interest in entertaining that."
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