Schalke executive Christian Heidel has said the club will not sign Holger Badstuber on a permanent basis when his loan spell from Bayern Munich comes to an end.
Former Germany international Badstuber joined the Royal Blues in January, but has made only 12 competitive appearances.
"We will not be signing him at the end of the season. The coach has discussed that with him," Heidel told a news conference ahead of the club's last home game of the season against Hamburg.
Coach Markus Weinzierl added: "I told him we already have a good left-footed player at centre-back with Matija Nastasic.