Schalke’s director of sport Horst Heldt remains confident that Klaas Jan Huntelaar will commit to a new contract at the club.

The Dutchman was the Bundesliga’s top goalscorer last season with 29 strikes, but his current deal expires next summer.

Talks over a new contract have yet to take place and Heldt says he is waiting for a signal from the 28-year-old that he wants to stay with the Royal Blues.

“It is up to Huntelaar. We want to extend his contract and I believe that it would make sense for both parties,” he said.

“But we need him to be 100 per cent convinced. I cannot force any player to sign a new contract at our club.”

However, Heldt believes his club can offer Huntelaar everything he needs to be fulfilled.

Not only is Gelsenkirchen close to the Dutch border, enabling him still to live in his home country and commute, but Schalke have also qualified for the Champions League once again and are one of the contenders for the Bundesliga league title.

“We finished last season third and played a leading role in the Bundesliga,” Heldt said.

“We have good cards because I know what we have planned for the future.”

Nevertheless, Heldt is also aware that Huntelaar is hardly lacking offers to tempt him away from the club.

“Klaas Jan is an absolutely top-level footballer and of course he will have other options,” he added.

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