Heldt hopeful over Draxler future

Schalke general manager Horst Heldt has not given up hope of Julian Draxler staying at the club beyond next season.

Draxler rejected the overtures of rivals Borussia Dortmund to sign a contract extension to keep him at the Veltins Arena until May, 2018.

However, that deal has not quelled the interest in the 19-year-old, with Real Madrid and Manchester United thought to be pondering a future move for the attacking midfielder.

Still, Heldt is confident that Draxler has a long-term future with Schalke.

“It is definitely possible that Julian will play another season here,” he told Bild.

“He could indeed get even better (next season) and have even more offers, but Schalke also have the potential to develop further.

“I don’t see that a 2014 switch will automatically happen.”

Draxler enjoyed a superb campaign in 2012-13, scoring 13 goals in 39 appearances as Schalke finished fourth in the Bundesliga.

However, despite his rise to prominence, Heldt admitted that the speculation surrounding Draxler came as a surprise.

“It was certainly pretty tight in June,” he added.

“We did not have a Plan B.”