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Schalke standing firm on Leon Goretzka despite Bayern Munich links

Schalke have reiterated that Germany international Leon Goretzka will remain at the Veltins Arena this season despite links with Bayern Munich.

Goretzka, 22, is under contract at Schalke until 2018 and has so far not agreed to an extension. The midfielder has strongly been linked with a switch to Bayern, who could wait to sign the player on a free transfer next summer.

Schalke have in the past said they do not fear losing Goretzka without a transfer fee and, speaking at the club's AGM on Sunday, sporting executive Christian Heidel said: "We will go into an exciting season with [long-term injury absentee] Breel Embolo and Leon Goretzka."

At the weekend, Goretzka said he was focused on the Confederations Cup.

"I won't talk on possible switches to a different club [during the tournament]," Goretzka said. "As soon as there are facts I will be providing them and publicising them on what my decision is. But now there is no news in that respect."

Elsewhere, Schalke announced that UK sports brand Umbro will become the club's new kit suppliers from the 2018-19 season.

Last week, the Royal Blues had confirmed longstanding rumours that their partnership with Adidas would end after 55 years next summer.

"FC Schalke 04 will be Umbro's flagship in European football," marketing executive Alexander Jobst told PR magazine Sponsors of the five-year deal.

The club also renewed their contract with German brewery Veltins, which bought the naming rights to the Schalke Arena until 2027 for €60 million, according to Sponsors.

"That's an incredibly important signal for Schalke 04," Jobst added. "The long-term deal gives the club stability which it needs for future growth."

Despite only qualifying for the Europa League for two consecutive seasons now, Schalke announced a record turnover of €265.1 million on Sunday, around €350,000 more than the previous year. The club also reported an increase in profit by €6.6m to €29.1m.

Last season, Schalke made a profit of around €20m on the transfer market after selling Germany international Leroy Sane to Manchester City for a club-record fee of €50m.

Speaking at the AGM, finance executive Peter Peters reassured the club's members that Schalke can do without a year of European football.

"I know that many are afraid of experiencing a downward spiral as has happened at other clubs. As chief financial officer, I want to stress to you that FC Schalke 04 is a strong club," he said.