Schalke general manager Horst Heldt said Thursday that he made an offer to extend Raul's contract, which expires at the end of the season, in an email to the Spaniard's representative, Gines Carvajal. “As planned, we've come a step further in February,” Heldt said. The offer was made via email because there was no time to arrange a meeting between the parties due to their busy schedules, and Heldt doesn't expect a response before the end of March. “Raul's adviser has to consider the offer in peace and quiet and speak to the player about it. It's agreed that we'll probably sit down together around the end of March to discuss it,” he said. The 34-year-old Raul has scored 25 goals in 56 league appearances for Schalke since his 2010 move from Real Madrid. He has scored 33 goals in all competitions for the German side, including 14 this season. The former Spain captain won the German Cup in his first season with Schalke last year. “Of course he's a very important player for us,” Heldt said. “He's already scored 11 goals in the Bundesliga this season and he always gives his all. We're proud to have such an unparalleled footballer playing for Schalke.” (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter: @AO Sports)
