Leon Goretzka says he will decide in January which club he will play for next season.
The 22-year-old German midfielder has been strongly linked with a move to Liverpool as his Schalke contract is set to expire at the end of the season, but Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Juventus and Arsenal are also considering an approach should he decide he wants to move on in the summer.
“I have to find out for myself what the next step should be,” he said.
“I have to consider a million things. I am a person who is very meticulous in such decisions. I play through all the scenarios. So I need time.
“There doesn’t exist a deadline, but I think we are in the final phase. The final decision will be made in January.”