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Huntelaar's new deal 'has £12m release clause'

Klass-Jan Huntelaar will stay at Schalke ... for now © PA Photos

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Schalke striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has a €15 million release clause in his new contract, according to Sport Bild.

Huntelaar, 29, ended weeks of speculation in December by signing a new two-year deal at the Gelsenkirchen club, therefore preventing him from walking out on a free transfer in the summer.

The new contract looked to have ended the rumours that the Netherlands international was set for a move to the Premier League but these latest revelations leave further question marks on the player's long-term future at the club.

With Huntelaar secured - for the moment at least - the Royal Blues are currently trying to strengthen the rest of their squad. Long-term injuries to Christoph Moritz and Ibrahim Affelay have forced the club's hand ahead of the resumption of the Bundesliga next weekend.

Schalke general manager Horst Heldt is working under "high pressure" to bring in an attacking midfielder within the next few days.

Recent reports have linked the club with Dynamo Kiev's Raffael. The former Hertha Berlin player is contracted to his club until 2016 but could leave on a loan deal during the winter, with the Ukraine league not resuming until March and the striker having only having been limited to a handful of appearances.

Despite Raffael being ineligible for the knockout stages of the Champions League, having featured in Kiev's campaign this season, Schalke have still voiced their interest in the player.

"[The] Bundesliga is our priority," Heldt told Kicker.

According to Kicker Borussia Monchengladbach are also in the race to bring the Brazilian back to Germany.

The paper has also linked Schalke with Bayer Leverkusen winger Sidney Sam, who has only featured in six games for his club this season.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.