Kuranyi ready to open talks

Schalke striker Kevin Kuranyi is ready to open talks with the Bundesliga club over extending his current contract. The Germany international was a winter transfer window target for Blackburn Rovers as Sam Allardyce considered possible replacements for Roque Santa Cruz.Santa Cruz eventually remained at Ewood Park but Kuranyi has continued to be linked with a move away from the Veltins Arena, with Lokomotiv Moscow also showing an interest.The former Stuttgart forward's current deal expires in summer 2010 but he is ready to pledge his long-term future to Schalke, provided the club's ambitions match his own."I am focused on my performances and the success of the team," Kuranyi told Westfalische Rundschau.Talks"For me personally it is not so important to reach a quota of goals at the end of the season. It's nice to score, but to see the team win is most important. "If I am feeling well being at Schalke and the club is having good goals for the future, I will be open to talks in the summer."Executive director Peter Peters admitted discussions are yet to begin but insisted that Kuranyi was an integral part of the club's future plans.Peters told Bild: "We all know we have not been talking to Kevin about a new deal lately, but I will clearly fight to keep Kevin at Schalke 04."We still want him to sign on, way before the end of his deal."

Source: SKY_Sports