Liverpool striker Milan Baros has confirmed he is tempted by the prospect of joining Schalke, but the German club fear they cannot afford the Czech ace.
Baros looks surplus to requirements at Anfield following the arrival of Peter Crouch, and the interest from Schalke has been met with a positive response by the Czech forward.
“No matter if I leave Liverpool or not, I am delighted at the interest of such a famous club,” Baros told Pravo.
“Schalke will play in the UEFA Champions League and it is a high-quality club with a great tradition.
“It is an early question. I have no information. I only know that there were some contacts with the German club but it is all in my agent Pavel Paska’s hands.
“I can’t say anything specific at the moment.”
Schalke are looking for a replacement for the departed Ailton but admit that Baros could prove too expensive.
“There’s a 95 percent chance that the deal is off,” said Schalke general manager Rudi Assauer, with Baros valued at around £7 million.
The club’s financial director Jupp Schnusenberg said: “Baros would be a giant [signing] but we have to take a look if it’s possible to thrash out a deal.”
Baros insists he is happy to remain at Liverpool, despite the ongoing speculation.
The Czech Republic international continued: “I don’t allow it to go in my mind. For the present I am in England and I train with Liverpool.
“I still have a contract here and I am a Liverpool player.
“The fact I have not played in the Champions League is another thing. I stay calm. I will wait to see how it comes out.
“I am prepared to fight for a position in the line-up as well as being prepared to go somewhere else.”
