Schalke’s Draxler is available, but for a hefty fee.
As Arsenal apparently continue to scour the planet for top German talent, they have discovered that Schalke 04 starlet Julian Draxler has a £40m release clause, according to the Daily Star.
The 20-year-old has been strongly linked with the Gunners for some time, with Draxler openly admitting a transfer to the Emirates Stadium would be appealing and reportedly later touring the club’s training facilities.
However, manager Arsene Wenger is still frugal with funds for new players, despite sanctioning the £42.4m move for Mesut Ozil on transfer deadline day back in September.
Yet the Frenchman is a huge fan of Draxler, who has risen to fame on both the domestic and international stages despite not being old enough to buy alcohol in the USA.
With Schalke the attacking midfielder has experienced Champions League football and the Germany international also has 10 caps for the national team and barring any injuries, is almost certain to be in Joachim Loew’s squad for the 2014 World Cup.
Wenger has been keeping tabs on Draxler for some time and the player’s current club would be powerless to keep hold of their youngster if the £40m buyout fee is met.
The German broke into the Schalke first team back in January 2011, after progressing through the Bundesliga outfit’s youth system and has made 133 appearances for the side since.
A question still remains though and that is whether Wenger needs more talent in attacking midfield, or should instead focus the financial resources on other areas.
With stars such as Ozil, Santi Cazorla and Lukas Podolski already in north London, many think a new striker or centre-back would make for a better distribution for their funds.
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