Heldt denies Schalke want Santana

Schalke general manager Horst Heldt says no contact has been made with rivals Borussia Dortmund to sign Felipe Santana.

Reports in Bild have speculated the centre-back was in advanced negotiations for a switch to Veltins Arena, but Heldt has rubbished the rumours.

“I want to have lots of players as I can well imagine, like Mario Gomez, but there has been no enquiry for Felipe Santana,” the former Germany international told Liga Total!.

“There is no contact between Schalke and Borussia Dortmund.”

Santana, whose contract with the former Bundesliga champions expires in 2014, also denied the suggestions on his Facebook profile.

He said: “Once again this topic. It’s pure speculation.”

Borussia Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp admitted to knowing as little about a deal, but nevertheless left the door ajar for a bid when he told Sky: “Santana is a good boy. Whether it really is true, we’ll see.”

The 27-year-old stopper is behind Mats Hummels and Neven Subotic at Dortmund but has made 26 appearances this term, six of them coming in the Champions League.

His stoppage time goal against Malaga in the quarter-finals of Europe’s premier club competition helped his side progress 3-2 on aggregate.