Liverpool Still to Make Contact Over Signing Klaas-Jan Huntelaar

Liverpool will face stern resistance from Schalke should they attempt to sign Schalke striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar as a replacement for Luis Suarez, according to Schalke general manager Horst Heldt.

Despite being on the brink of adding Lille and Belgium striker Divock Origi to their attack, amid the imminent sale of Suarez to Barcelona for a fee approaching £80m, the Reds continue to be linked with a move for Huntelaar, who has one-year to run on his current Schalke contract and would likely be available at a cut price.

Responding to such rumours, Heldt has confirmed Liverpool are yet to make official contact over signing Huntelaar and that should they make a bid it is likely to be rebuffed.

"Most recently, I've read that Liverpool FC should have interest in Klaas-Jan Huntelaar," Heldt told the club's official website.

"Liverpool, Klaas-Jan and also his adviser have not contacted us. And we also have no interest in selling the player."

Huntelaar is currently concentrating on Netherlands' World Cup semi-final against Argentina on Wednesday, having already played a significant role to guiding Louis van Gaal's side to the last four.

The 30 year old made the assist for Wesley Sneijder's late equaliser against Mexico in the last 16, before netting an injury-time penalty to send the Dutch through to the quarter-finals.

The former Real Madrid and AC Milan forward will resume discussions over a new deal with the Bundesliga club after the World Cup and is unwilling to concentrate on rumours of a move to Liverpool.

"Regarding the rumours about Liverpool it would only be fair to speak to Schalke first," he told De Telegraaf.

"I've talked with Schalke about an extension for a while. After the World Cup I am having a holiday. Then I will speak to them again.

"With my agent, I now do not talk about the interest from clubs. I focus on the tournament."