Klass-Jan Huntelaar
Huntelaar scored 12 league goals last season but will remain at Schalke.

Arsenal did not attempt to sign Schalke striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar before settling on signing Danny Welbeck from Manchester United, the Bundesliga club have confirmed.

Injury to Olivier Giroud forced Gunners boss Arsene Wenger into a frantic search for a new striker, with a host of high-profile players linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium.

Netherlands international Huntelaar was among those players, with reports claiming Arsenal had attempted to activate the player's release clause in the closing hours of the transfer window, but Schalke director Horst Heldt has quashed such speculation.

"There was no approach from Arsenal or from any other club," Heldt told Kicker. "Klaas-Jan is part of Schalke's core. We can definitely see him sign a contract renewal here.

"He is a great player, an absolute modern professional. He's always hungry for success and wants to achieve his goals."

Huntelaar has continually been linked with a move to the Premier League, with Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur among the other clubs reportedly interested in the ex-Real Madrid and AC Milan forward.

The 31-year-old scored 12 league goals in 17 league starts last season for Schalke as the club qualified for the Champions League, but he has yet to be lured back to the club who can mount a credible challenge for a domestic title.

Arsenal did eventually secure the services of a striker to replace the injury-stricken Giroud, with Welbeck moving to north London in the twilight of the transfer window for a reported £16m.

But before securing a deal for Welbeck, Arsenal made enquiries regarding Nicola Zigic's availability, with the Serbian international eventually overlooked.

"Everything that you saw in the press was true," he told IBTimes UK.

"My agent was talking with Arsenal but they finally opted for another player [Welbeck].

"We talked with them until the last days of the market. I am very happy because Arsenal had me on their list. I would have like it [to join them] But big teams always consider several alternatives [before signing one]."

Arsenal FC