FC Schalke 04 general manager Horst Heldt has rubbished reports suggesting goalkeeper Ralf Fahrmann could leave the club in the summer amid speculation linking the player with move to Atletico Madrid.
Fahrmann, 25, has replaced Timo Hildebrand as the Royal Blues’ No. 1 this season, having kept an impressive nine clean sheets in 17 Bundesliga appearances.
The former Eintracht Frankfurt shot-stopper, whose current deal at the Veltins-Arena expires at the end of next season, has reportedly emerged as a transfer target for Atletico Madrid due to the uncertain future of Chelsea loanee Thibaut Courtois.
However, Heldt has insisted Fahrmann will stay in Gelsenkirchen next term.
“Ralf Fahrmann has a contract with our club and we are very happy about the situation in terms of our goalkeepers,” the Schalke supremo told BILD, per Sky Sports.
“I am able to confirm he will be in our goal also in 2015.
“As things stand today, I am able to rule out that he will leave the club at the end of the season. We do not want that to happen.
“And also Ralf does not want that to happen as far as I am concerned.”
Now then, in other news, Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has revealed Thibaut Courtois will not play against Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals if Friday’s draw pairs the clubs together.
A clause in the loan agreement between the two clubs requires Atletico to pay Chelsea ‘a large sum of money’ in order for Courtois to participate in each leg but Cerezo has insisted the Spanish side would be ‘unable to pay’ the fee, which is believed to be €3 million per leg.
If Atleti draw the Blues, Daniel Aranzubía — a once-capped Spain international — will likely start between the sticks.
The 34-year-old, formerly of Deportivo La Coruña and Athletic Bilbao, has made five appearances in all competitions, including one in the Champions League, this season.
Serge Aurier would welcome Arsenal move
Toulouse F.C. right-back Serge Aurier has revealed he would not be able to reject a summer move to Arsenal, fueling speculation the defender will secure a move to the English Premier League this summer.
The Côte d’Ivoire international, 21, has been linked with a host of English clubs, including Aston Villa, Chelsea and Newcastle United, but Arsenal are believed to be in pole position to sign the Ivorian, who has been tipped as the long-term replacement for Bacary Sagna.
“You cannot refuse Arsenal,” Aurier told Foot Mercato. “You can ask any player if he would play for Arsenal and I think he would respond positively without hesitation.
“It is certain that Arsenal is a dream.”
Aurier has scored six goals in 28 Ligue 1 appearances for eighth-placed Toulouse in 2013/14.
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