Five Premier League destinations for Schalke skipper Benedikt Howedes

Bundesliga high-flyers Schalke are set to lose club captain Benedikt Howedes next summer, after the World Cup-winning defender declared his desire to play in the Premier League.

Top-flight clubs like Manchester United, 11/4 with Coral to lift the FA Cup, have been alerted, with the £14m-rated centre-back a potential summer target.

Howedes confirmed that he wants his next move to be to England, after ruling out switching allegiances within the Bundesliga.

“If I am to leave Schalke one day, I do not want to move clubs within the Bundesliga,” said Howedes. “Schalke is too close to my heart to do so. But a move abroad at a certain time would be worth an experience. England would be my goal.”

With the 26-year-old aiming for a possible move to England’s top division, Coral writers look at five possible destinations for his services.

Manchester United
Louis van Gaal’s main priority in the summer transfer window will be to strengthen his defence, with a Champions League return looking likely.

Howedes’ aerial abilities, along with his versatility would be a huge boost to the Red Devils, with their back-line having struggled during the course of this current campaign.

Schalke’s dominant defender is comfortable at switching from centre back to left back, a talent which Dutchman Van Gaal admires in defensive players, and a key reason why he chose to sign Argentina international Marcos Rojo last year.

Liverpool
Brendan Rodgers will be intrigued by Howedes’ recent comments, with his rearguard also in need of some reinforcements for next season.

The German giant would be a huge asset to the Reds, with their Northern Irish manager still unsure of what his best defensive unit is at Anfield.