And Schalke's director of sport Horst Heldt is well aware of the fact that there are a whole host of top European clubs watching the situation of his star striker with much interest.

Huntelaar has only a year remaining on his contract and Heldt remains hopeful that a deal can be struck in the near future.

Although, it might be in the Gelsenkirchen outfit's best interests to cash in on the former AC Milan striker, otherwise he could leave as a free agent next year.

The Dutchman was the Bundesliga's top goalscorer last season with 29 goals and talks over a new deal have yet to take place.

And Heldt says he is giving the 28-year-old time to decide whether he wants to stay with the Royal Blues.

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

"But we need him to be 100% convinced. I cannot force any player to sign a new contract."

However, Heldt insists his club have the ambition for success that can fulfill Huntelaar's dreams.

Not only is Gelsenkirchen near the Dutch border, allowing him still to live in his home country and travel easily to training, but Schalke have proven their consistency over the past couple of seasons by qualifying for the Champions League once again.

"We finished last season third and played a leading role in the Bundesliga," he told Germany's Sky Sport News.

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

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