Former Spain forward Raul has rejected a move to Blackburn Rovers, according to Schalke general manager Horst Heldt.

The Bundesliga side received an official inquiry from Blackburn about the 34-year-old, according to a statement on the club's website.

However, Heldt said: "Raul told us that he wants to stay with Schalke 04 and asked us to reject Blackburn Rovers. We have already done so. We are pleased that Raul wants to continue to contribute to all our sporting success."

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.

Raul told us that he wants to stay with Schalke 04 and asked us to reject Blackburn Rovers.
Horst Heldt, Schalke general manager

Today he was linked with a move to Blackburn, though, and 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."

Heldt added: "Our coach Ralf Rangnick, my (board) colleague Peter Peters and I have always stressed that we do not want him to leave." And, earlier today Rangnick had said the player did not wish to leave the club.

Blackburn lost their opening game of the Premier League season to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday - a game in which they paired Jason Roberts with new signing Mauro Formica in attack.

Owners Venky's promised a big-name signing when they took over the club back in November, but so far none have arrived. Striker David Goodwillie, who joined from Dundee United this summer, was on the bench Saturday.