Schalke general manager Horst Heldt has confirmed that Arsenal lodged formal bids for Julian Draxler on more than one occasion, including in January.

Revealing that bids from the Gunners have been big, just not big enough, the Bundesliga outfit made clear that they were the ones who prevented the 20-year-old German international making the move to the Emirates.

“There was an official enquiry from Arsenal in winter but we decided not to release him,” Heldt told SPORT1.

“It was not the first time Arsenal had made a bid. It was a lot of money, but it wasn’t enough for us.”

Asked if there was any truth in reports of an offer from Bayern Munich, Heldt replied: “No, definitely not.”

Draxler is understood to have a £37 million buyout clause which kicks in again at the end of the season and the Gunners will likely reignite their interest in a player tipped to shine at the World Cup.