Arsenal are favourites to land £12.6m Man United target

Arsenal have been handed a boost to sign Manchester United target Benedikt Howedes following the news that he is free to leave Schalke.

The 27-year-old is suggested to be looking to challenge himself in the Premier League, and Arsenal have emerged as potential suitors.

And Schalke general manager Horst Heldt has conceded that the German international World Cup winner is free to decide on his own future.

“It’s no secret that Benedikt Höwedes has the ability to get through an exit clause in his contract,” he told Die Welt.

“He has not yet decided, but he will do it safely in a timely manner.”

Howedes’ release clause is understood to be priced at £12.6m, but Arsenal are likely to face competition to land the players signature as Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are also both seen to be keen.

Arsene Wenger’s Gunners side are currently third in the Barclays Premier League having accumulated 70 points, three points behind Manchester City in second.