Bundesliga outfit keen to fend off interest in keeper


Schalke rule out Neuer sale
Neuer: Has a host of admirers

Schalke insist they have no intention of selling highly-rated goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
The Germany international's agent has sought to stir things up of late by claiming that Premier League giants Manchester United have expressed an interest in his client.
With Schalke currently enduring financial difficulties, it has been suggested that they may be forced to sell off their top talents in order to balance the books.
That has alerted the interest of United, among others, but Schalke boss Felix Magath is determined to do all he can to keep Neuer in Gelsenkirchen.
"I have said that Manuel Neuer is not for sale and there is no more news on this," he told BILD.
"We have a strong desire to play in the UEFA Champions League again. Therefore we are going to need our best players.
"I am definitely not prepared to sell potentially the best shot-stopper in Germany."
Neuer is currently contracted to Schalke until 2012 and the 23-year-old has recently expressed his desire to remain with the Bundesliga outfit for the foreseeable future.

Wanted man

Meanwhile, Manchester United are also reported to be trailing Italian starlet Andrea Ranocchia.
The 21-year-old defender is currently on the books of Bari, but his registration is owned by Genoa.
He only recently extended his contract with his parent club until the summer of 2013, but that has done little to curb speculation regarding his future.
United, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Juventus are all believed to be monitoring his progress, with possible moves planned for the January transfer window.