Arsenal and Liverpool leading the chase for German international

German international Lewis Holtby is attracting interest from the Premier League as his contract with Schalke nears expiry.

It is thought that both Liverpool and Arsenal are keen on his services of the attacking midfielder, with the north London club, in particular, always on the lookout for young talent they can get on the cheap. The Gunners are a 9/2 shot to finish the season as the top London club.

A 22-year-old attacking midfielder, Holtby has been capped twice by Germany and starred in his club’s recent 2-0 win over Arsene Wenger’s men.

He is rated as one of the brightest prospects in the Bundesliga and, an avid Everton fan courtesy of his English father, would revel in a move to the Premier League.

Negotiations are ongoing with his current club over extending his contract for another three years, but those talks have stalled amid a reported influx of interest from both England and La Liga.

Attack-minded midfield players are something Arsenal have in abundance, with the likes of Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta, Aaron Ramsey and Santi Cazorla all vying for two starting positions. A fifth addition to this prestigious bunch would surely be a bridge too far, which means that, unless they ship one or two of them out, a move for Holtby seems unfeasible.

Liverpool, however, may require a midfielder with the eye for a pass if they can’t complete a permanent deal for Nuri Sahin at the end of the season.

With the majority of the money their Fenway Sports Group owners were prepared to invest on players squandered by Kenny Dalglish, Brendan Rodgers’ could be tempted to snap up Schalke’s resident Evertonian as a cheaper alternative to the Turkish international.

However, if frugal Wenger’s penchant for a bargain gets the better of him, Holtby could soon find himself plying his trade at the Emirates Stadium.

All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date