The former Germany midfielder insists that finishing in the top two and guaranteeing a Champions League place must be a priority.

"We really have to try to get second place. If you finish third you can fail in the preliminary round and you will not get any decent new players," Muller told Bild.

Schalke will face Barcelona in the Champions League quarter finals and are fifth in the Bundesliga table with 44 points just two behind second-placed Hamburg.

"At the same time there is the danger that the likes of Neuer, Rafinha and Kuranyi will go if you don't play in the Champions League."

Kevin Kuranyi, defender Marcelo Rafinha and keeper Manuel Neuer have already announced that they want to play in the Champions League next season and that they could leave Veltins-Arena for that.

Muller also confirmed that if they secured a spot among Europe's elites next season, the club will invest heavily on the transfer market.

"If we again make the Champions League, we want to buy two offensive reinforcements and go right to the financial limit.But we can still not afford 25million (euros) for a (Franck) Ribery."