Schalke midfielder Jermaine Jones has revealed he is "proud" of reported interest from Manchester United.

The holding player, who narrowly missed out on a place in Germany's squad for Euro 2008, has been linked with a move to the Barclays Premier League champions in the German press.

He told Bild: "Man United are a class team. The interest makes me proud. But I still have a valid contract with Schalke."

Jones, 26, was one of the key members of the Schalke side which reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League last season.

He was included in Germany coach Joachim Low's preliminary squad for the European Championship but was one of three players culled.

His agent Roger Wittmann confirmed he would talk to Jones about the speculation linking him with a move to Old Trafford.

Wittmann said: "I will meet with Jermaine and we will talk about everything - last season, the national team and also about the speculation.

"If it arises in the conversation that England is a serious topic for Jermaine, we would talk very openly about that with Schalke."

Schalke general manager Andreas Muller claimed though the club was not concerned by the rumours.

He said: "I will only think about it if I receive a written offer for him on the table. Everything else is blah-blah."

More news from SportingLife.com