Arsenal are stepping up interest in Schalke captain Benedict Howedes. The Daily Mail says the Gunners have sent scouts to watch Howedes.

Representatives were in the stands for the 4-0 win over Stuttgart last week and Howedes is liked as he is able to play left back, which is where he has figured for Germany.

The 26-year-old has admitted he is keen to move to England but has two years left on his contract and his Bundesliga club are reluctant to sell while they are still in the Champions League.

Schalke, who face Real Madrid in the last 16 of Europe's elite club competition, value Howedes around £15million.