
Arsenal and Everton are suddenly facing competition from Sevilla and Inter Milan in the race to land Lewis Holtby this January.
Bundesliga club Schalke 04 have stated they will decide the future of their 22-year-old midfielder next month.
But the Premier League sides no longer have a clear run at the German international who has an English father.
Seville have sent scouts to watch him in recent matches and Inter Milan have reportedly asked to be kept informed of any movement in the player's situation.
And Schalke ultimately would like Holtby to sign a new deal before his contract expires at the end of the season even though he has expressed an interest in moving to England.