Source: Team_Talk
Raul rejects Rovers move option
Schalke have announced Raul has already turned down the chance to join Blackburn, whose interest in the striker was confirmed on Tuesday.[LNB] The Bundesliga side received an official inquiry from Blackburn about the 34-year-old, according to a statement on the Gelsenkirchen club's website.[LNB]But general manager Heldt told Schalke's official website: "Raul told us that he wants to stay with Schalke 04 and asked us to reject Blackburn Rovers. We have already done so.[LNB]"We are pleased that Raul wants to continue to contribute to all our sporting success."[LNB]Raul joined Schalke last summer after 16 years at Real Madrid, during which time he broke the Spanish club's all-time goalscoring record, and has impressed in the Bundesliga, netting 14 times in 36 games.[LNB]But speculation continued to suggest he is not happy in Gelsenkirchen and that his relationship with the club has broken down.[LNB]Today he was linked with a move to Blackburn, and the Schalke confirmed contact in a statement which read: "FC Schalke 04 took an official inquiry from Blackburn Rovers, in which the Premier League club said they were interested in signing Raul."[LNB]Heldt added: "Our coach Ralf Rangnick, my [board] colleague Peter Peters and I have always stressed that we do not want him to leave."[LNB]Earlier today Rangnick had said the player did not wish to leave the club. He told the Bild newspaper: "It's the same for Raul as it is for all the players.[LNB]"If he tells me that he wants to leave then we will talk. But that is not the case at the moment.[LNB]"I have in recent months often sought a dialogue with Raul because I have had the feeling something is not right.[LNB]"But he has always said he is okay and has no problems."[LNB]Blackburn lost their opening game of the Premier League season to Wolves on Saturday - a game in which they paired Jason Roberts with new signing Mauro Formica in attack.[LNB]Owners Venky's promised a big-name signing when they took over the club back in November, but so far none has arrived.[LNB]Striker David Goodwillie, who joined from Dundee United this summer, was on the bench on Saturday.
