Leon Goretzka has been linked with a number of top clubs (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal look like they’re going to miss out on the transfer of Schalke midfielder Leon Goretzka this summer as the club’s general manager Christian Heidel rules out letting him leave.

The Germany international has previously been linked with a £21million move to the Gunners due to reports that Schalke were willing to sell him on the cheap before his contract runs out in a year’s time.

Juventus and Tottenham have also been mentioned as admirers of Goretzka, 22, but it may be that clubs will have to wait to sign him on a free next year.

Either that, or Schalke are confident they can tie him down to a new contract, with Heidel explicitly saying that the player would not be allowed a move.

Goretzka has a year to run on his Schalke contract (Picture: Getty)

‘Leon will not be able to change clubs this summer. He will remain at Schalke beyond this summer,’ Heidel said.

‘We have sporting goals, that is why selling him prematurely does not make any sense to us. I do not want to negotiate with other clubs about Leon Goretzka.’

Arsenal could do with strengthening in midfield this summer, with last year’s main signing Granit Xhaka struggling to impress while others such as Francis Coquelin and Aaron Ramsey also disappointed in 2016/17.