Teenager Julian Draxler will stay at Schalke despite lucrative offers from the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City, the Bundesliga club's chairman of the board, Clemens Toennies, said late Saturday.
The Bild daily reported that the two heavyweights, and another English club, had been ready to pay a buyout fee of €45 million and offered the gifted 19-year-old Germany midfielder a huge salary of up to €60 million for five years.
But Toennies confirmed at Schalke's annual members' meeting on Saturday night that Draxler had snubbed the offers and committed his future to Schalke where he recently renewed his contract until 2018.
“Jule told me that he will stay with us although he can earn €50 million elsewhere,” Toennies said.
Draxler was quoted by Bild as saying that he didn't want to move to a big club in summer because he wants to play Champions League with Schalke and be on the German team for next year's World Cup in Brazil.
"I mulled over everything, got through all scenarios. But in the end it was a thing of the heart and my gut instincts," he told kicker. "I won't go into details, but I can confirm clubs from Spain and England were interested.
"It wouldn't have been about the money but the sporting challenges," Draxler said. "Schalke 04 is among the biggest European clubs. I might have knocked back a lot of money. But I don't have to live from water and bread here," he continued.
During last season, Draxler became the youngest player in German history to clock up more than 100 competitive games at the highest level. He began the season on the wing, but after Lewis Holtby's departure to Tottenham in January he was partially moved into central midfield, sharing the central berth with Brazilian midfielder Raffael.
"The number 10 position is my favourite position," Draxler said. "But when Raffael played there last season I wasn't disappointed. What matters is I am on the pitch."
Draxler admitted that being offered the chance to play in central midfield was a major factor when considering his career options during the summer break, with his eyes firmly set on a place at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
"It wouldn't have been ideal to make the switch one year before the World Cup. Even if I have enough confidence," Draxler added. "There would have been no guarantees that I'd get constant playing time at my new club.
"It is not like I will definitely stay here for only one more season. 2014 is still far away for me, I fully concentrate on the upcoming season. If I should get attractive offers after that, I will sit down and consider what's best for me then."
