Klaas Jan Huntelaar Will Hold Talks with Schalke Before Considering Liverpool Speculation

Schalke striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar has refused to be drawn on reports suggesting Liverpool are lining him up to replace Luis Suarez should the Uruguayan leave Anfield this summer.

Officials from Barcelona and Liverpool held what a number of reports described as a "productive" first meeting regarding Suarez's prospective £70m move to the Nou Camp on Wednesday.

There is a growing feeling that the disgraced striker, who is banned from all football until November, will leave Merseyside this summer, leaving Brendan Rodgers with the sizeable task of replacing the Uruguayan who scored 36 goals in all competitions last season.

Huntelaar has been linked with a move to England at various stages of his career and a number of reports in the British and Dutch press have suggested the Reds will consider a move for the 30-year-old again this summer.

While Arsenal have also been credited with the Dutchman, it was rumours of a move to Anfield that Huntelaar chose to address when quizzed by reporters.

"Regarding the rumours about Liverpool it would only be fair to speak to Schalke first," Huntelaar is quoted as saying by Dutch daily De Telegraaf.

As he has demonstrated in the past during Arsenal's attempts to sign Julian Draxler from the Bundesliga side, Schalke general manager Horst Heldt will not be pressurised into selling the club's prized assets.

However, with Huntelaar's contract set to expire in 2015, the club will have to tie the striker down to a new deal this summer or risk losing him for nothing next year.

"I've talked to Schalke about an extension for a while," Huntelaar said of his current deal. "After the World Cup I am having a holiday. Then I will speak to them again."

Huntelaar rose to prominence with Heerenveen and then Ajax in the Eredivisie where he forged a fearsome reputation as one of the league's most prolific goal scorers. Stints at Real Madrid and Milan saw his career stall somewhat until a move to Schalke in 2010 revived his fortunes and the Dutch international has since finished as the club's top scorer in all but one of his seasons at the club.