Lewis Holtby has played down talk of a move away from Schalke 04.

The 21-year-old has been linked with a move to the Premier League as his contract enters its final year.

The German international reiterated his desire is to one day play in England, but admitted that day is "a long way off".

Holtby, who is a lifelong Everton fan, said that it is a "dream" to be wearing the number 10 shirt for Schalke and he could not imagine playing for another team in the Bundesliga.

"England will always remain an issue for me, but that is still a long way off," Holtby told Kicker. "I will be playing for Schalke for at least one more year and that's what I focus on.

"I am with a top club right now. It is my dream to play for Schalke and to wear the number 10 jersey here. Why should I transfer within the Bundesliga? I would not know where!"

Holtby, who has captained Germany's Under-21s team, made his debut for the senior side in a Euro 2012 qualifier against Azerbaijan last year.