Schalke want to keep Jonjoe Kenny beyond the end of his season-long loan with the club's sporting director saying he "suits" the club.
The Everton right-back has made 23 appearances in the Bundesliga this season and has been a hit with the Schalke fans.
Kenny is due to return to Goodison at the end of the season and there was no option to buy included in the terms of the loan agreement.
But Schalke are keen to try and retain Kenny's services next season with the club ready to ask about extending his loan to a second campaign.
Sporting director Jochen Schneider is quoted by BILD as saying: “He's had a great season so far.
"He not only suits Schalke as a player, but also as a type.
"The painter who gets 100 percent clean in every game!”
And the German newspaper also claims that Kenny has told team-mates that he wants to stay at Schalke, writing: "Schalke wants Kenny, Kenny wants Schalke.
"The only thing missing is an agreement with Everton!"
