Schalke president Clemens Tonnies has reaffirmed his club’s interest in Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira.

The German international is out of contract at the end of the season and has been linked with a move to the Bundesliga club in recent months. Khedira has previously stated he would like to finish his playing career in Germany.

Bayern Munich and Arsenal have both been linked with the midfielder in the past. But it is understood both clubs have cooled their interest in the 27-year-old German.

Schalke initiated contact with Khedira during their Champions League Round of 16 tie against Real Madrid in February. The club have continued negotiations with the player and appear to be the front runners for Khedira’s services.

During an interview with German television, Schalke’s president Clemens Tonnies praised the German international and confirmed ongoing talks with the midfielder and his representatives.

“I’m a huge Sami Khedira fan because he is a leader who can help improve the team,” Tonnies said. “”He has an incredible reputation with the national team.”

“We’ve spoken several times. Now it’s up to Horst Held (Schalke’s director of football) and Khedira’s agent to find a satisfactory solution.”

“I told [Held], this is what we can spend and we’ll do everything we can with out budget.”

Schalke are currently in fifth place in the Bundesliga, ten points adrift of fourth place Bayer Leverkusen.