Schalke boss refuses to rule out exit for Liverpool target Kyriakos Papadopolous

Schalke 04 boss Horst Heldt has rubbished reports that Liverpool have launched a bid to sign defender Kyriakos Papadopolous, but said any offers would be considered.

Yesterday reports in Greece and picked up by newspapers in England suggested the Reds had renewed their interest in the 21-year-old and that Brendan Rodgers was preparing a €13million bid.

Papadopolous will resume full training this week after recovering from a knee injury that has seen him sidelined since December 2012.

“There is nothing to the rumours,” Heldt told Reviersport. “On the contrary, we are pleased to have Papa back after his knee injury. He is making good progress and he is firmly part of our plans.”

However, Heldt did not rule out accepting any future offers that may come the German Bundeslia side’s way.

He added, “Of course, if an offer was received for him, we would sit down with him and make a decision, just as we do with any of our players.”

Liverpool had been linked with Papadopolous earlier in the summer, but his ongoing knee problem and Schalke’s valuation of around €19million cooled the Reds’ interest.

With news this week that Martin Skrtel could be joining Pepe Reina on a season long’s loan spell at Napoli, Rodgers will be keen to get a deal for a strong first-team central defender done swiftly.

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