Schalke (11/1 Bundesliga Outright 2010/2011 Outright) have bolstered their title chances with a double deadline day swoop for Dutch international striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Mexican midfielder Jose Manuel Jurardo for a combined £21million.

Former Ajax and Real Madrid hitman Huntelaar scored seven goals in Serie A last season, but admitted he had to leave AC Milan after they brought Zlatan Ibrahimovic in on a season-long loan.

Huntelaar said: “It is true I never wanted to leave Milan but that changed when Zlatan Ibrahimovic came from Barcelona.”

Schalke boss Felix Magath told Bild: “Negotiations were tougher than expected. I am happy to have Klaas-Jan. He will help us.”

The Gelsenkirchen outfit were pipped to the Bundesliga trophy last term by Bayern Munich and are desperate to end a 52-year wait for the title, having finished runners-up previously in 2001, 2005 and 2007. But Magath’s side have made a poor start to the season and sit in 15th place after two matches of the season.

After defensive blunders cost the Royal Blues dearly in the 2-1 home defeat to Hannover on Saturday, Magath has been forced into the transfer market for a third time before the deadline.

Despite previously stating that he didn’t need any defenders, he is splashing out on Lille centre back Nicolas Plestan. Schalke had already invested heavily in signing Christophe Metzelder and Raul from Real Madrid.

Bayern (1/2) have been relatively quiet in the transfer market, concentrating on keeping together the squad that reached the Champions League final and claimed the domestic double.

Hamburg (9/1) have started the season well, despite losing defender Jerome Boateng to Manchester City, while Werder Bremen (11/1) could not hold onto playmaker Mesut Ozil.

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