Schalke 04 defender Benedikt Howedes has said that he wants to stay at the club, despite interest from Arsenal and AC Milan.

The 27-year-old has established himself as an important player for his club and country in recent seasons and he has been constantly linked with a move away from the Veltins-Arena.

However, he has insisted that he is not looking to leave Schalke, having come through the youth ranks at the Bundesliga club.

"Arsenal and AC Milan were really keen on my services," Sky Sports News quotes him as saying. "But I have decided in favour of Schalke."

Howedes played every minute for Germany in their successful World Cup campaign last summer.