Schalke 04 chief executive Clemens Tonnies has made it clear that he would consider it a huge mistake for star player Julian Draxler to leave the club.

The younger German star has been rumored as a target for Arsenal. The English side has built its foundation among German players including Mesut Ozil, Per Mertesacker, Lukas Podolski, and Serge Gnabry. The 20-year-old would be the icing on the cake for England's top side thus far this season.

However, Tonnies thinks that moving to London in the near future would ultimately stunt Draxler's growth.

"Even if we do not qualify for next year's Champions League, that does not mean we will have to sell Julian," Tonnies said, according to ESPN. "There are a number of big clubs after him, but we have no intention of selling him this winter. I am of the opinion that Julian should play for Schalke next season. That is my personal advice to him.

"He should not let the interest from abroad play with his head. It is best for his development when he can play without much pressure and with a clear mind," he explained. "Looking back, at the start of the season he was under a lot of pressure then and the exact same thing will happen again if he moves."

Draxler would likely slot into the midfield alongside Ozil. Santi Cazorla is currently the team's most dependable option in the center, but he is already 29 and will likely not be around for that much longer.

Should Draxler leave Schalke and head to Arsenal?