Last Updated: Sun, 18 Nov 2012 08:25
Arsenal are ready to pip Liverpool to the signing of Schalke midfielder Lewis Holtby, according to reports.
The highly-rated 22-year-old is due to fall out of contract in the summer and the German side are all but resigned to losing him as he targets a move to the Premier League.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has put him near the top of his wanted list, while Liverpool counterpart Brendan Rodgers is also interested in the German international.
Holtby, who has been a revelation in the Schalke midfield this season, has already declared he would be open to a move to Arsenal and the Gunners will be favourites to do a deal if Wenger pursues his interest.
"It was a dream to play in the Premier League and it was a team like Arsenal I would like to play for," the player has been quoted as saying.
Schalke are going well in the Champions League and Holtby is likely to see the season out with the Bundesliga side although a January move cannot be completely ruled out.
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