Goal: Holtby decides to leave

Schalke midfielder and Liverpool target Lewis Holtby has confirmed his intention to leave the German club on a free transfer at the end of the season.

As exclusively revealed by Goal.com on Thursday, the 22-year-old has decided against renewing his current contract, which expires in the summer, after failing to reach an agreement with the Bundesliga outfit.

The former Alemannia Aachen star had been locked in negotiations with his employers for a number of months but, after team-mate and Holland international Klaas-Jan Huntelaar agreed a new deal earlier in December, the club feel they can afford to let the Reds' target leave.

The club's general manager, and former player, Horst Heldt, indicated that Schalke respect the German's personal decision but is confident that he can still play a vital role in the remainder of the team's season.

"We wish Lewis [well in] his future [seasons away from] FC Schalke 04," he told their official website. "But like Klaas-Jan now he has made a personal decision that we respect.

"We are sure that he will give [everything] up to the last day of the season to make the contribution of our team successful."

Source: Goal