Arsenal’s attempted signing of FC Schalke 04 star Julian Draxler hangs in the balance after the Bundesliga club’s sporting director Horst Heldt discussed his player at a press conference.
Arsenal’s bid to bring FC Schalke 04 attacking midfielder Julian Draxler to Emirates Stadium in the January transfer window has suffered a blow as the Bundesliga outfit have denied the Gunners have attempted to engage them to negotiate for their prize asset.
“We are happy to have such a world class player in our lines,” sporting director Horst Heldt is quoted as saying in the Guardian.
“I am very convinced that Draxler will be playing for us in the Rueckrunde [second half of the season] but most probably beyond that.
“We are not interested in letting Julian leave, and he has also not approached us about a transfer.”
The Guardian had claimed earlier today that Arsenal’s transfer negotiator Dick Law had travelled to Germany to discuss a possible deal, but Heldt laughed off such talk.
“I checked my office if someone was waiting for me, but nobody was there,” he smiled.
“Of course, there are always other clubs interested in him, and should someone make a serious offer for him, then we as a club have to professionally consider that. That does not only apply to Julian Draxler, but to every other player.”
What’s more, the widely reported €45 million (approximately £37m) minimum fee release clause in Draxler’s contract might not be so clear cut as previously believed.
“That agreement was only in place for last year, from now on the transfer fee is up for negotiation,” said Heldt.
With little over 24 hours remaining in the January transfer window, Arsenal’s hopes of agreeing a deal hang in the balance.
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