Schalke admit €45m Arsenal target may leave

Although they are hopeful of keeping him, German side Schalke 04 accept that their star man, Julian Draxler, may leave the club in the summer, with Arsenal ready to swoop.

s04 draxler trikot 628 Schalke admit €45m Arsenal target may leave

Draxler, who is one of the rising stars of German football, and has been followed by a whole host of European big guns for the past couple of years.

Arsenal are perennially linked with a move for the 20-year-old, and now Schalke sporting director Horst Heldt has admitted that they may not be able to hang onto him past the summer.

“We still hope that Julian stays, but there are elements we can’t influence,” Heldt told Bild (via ESPN)

Chelsea had also been strongly linked with a move for the German, as we reported last month, but former Norway striker Jan Aage Fjortoft has put his weight behind Arsenal in the race for the youngster,


Fjortoft was key in breaking the Ozil-Arsenal transfer last summer, and the player-turned-pundit claims that Draxler was impressed during a recent visit to the Arsenal training complex in London.

A versatile attacker, able to play anywhere across the forward line, Draxler is known for his dribbling skills, passing, and range of shooting. He has won 10 caps so far for the German national side, and is tipped to make it onto the plane for the World Cup Finals in Brazil this summer.

While the reported €45m price-tag may well make Arsene Wenger’s eyes water, Draxler has the potential to become one of the very best midfielders in the world, and if he does indeed fancy a move to North London, Wenger should break the bank to secure him.

What do you think? Will Draxler make a move to Arsenal in the summer? Let US know in the comments below…

Read More»

Arsenal & United race French for £37.5m midfielder

Arsenal are favourites to sign Schalke 04 midfielder Julian Draxler but will face competition from Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain, according to reports in France.

Draxler, one of the most highly coveted young talents in Europe, is also believed to have attracted interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.

But the influence of Arsenal's German contingent and the club's current standing as
Premier League leaders leaves the Gunners in pole position ahead of their English rivals.
However, PSG also have a long-standing interest in Draxler, having first targeted the player earlier this campaign.

French publication Le 10 Sport reports that Draxler remains a priority as club management weigh up recruitment options in the January transfer window.

Draxler's contract with Schalke is understood to have a buy-out clause of £37.5 million that can be activated at the end of this season.

The 20-year-old has made 14 Bundesliga appearances this term, scoring once and providing five assists.

Read More»