Arsenal are reportedly close sealing a deal to sign FC Schalke 04 starlet Julian Draxler in the January transfer window – depending on which newspaper you read.
The Daily Telegraph report that talks between Gunners representatives and the Gelsenkirchen side have gone well, and the Germany international is now expected to move in the next 48 hours.
Intriguingly, the Telegraph also suggest that Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski could move to Schalke in part exchange, with the Polish goalkeeper out of contract in the summer and having been expected to join the Bundesliga outfit anyway.
The Daily Mirror corroborate the Telegraph’s story, adding that personal terms are not expected to be an obstacle, with Draxler’s wages of under £50,000 likely to increase to £80,000 if he moves to Emirates Stadium.
However, a word of caution for excited Arsenal fans hoping to see a player who scored five times and assisted eight goaals in his 24 club games this season, having managed to score 13 goals and supply seven assists in 39 matches last term.
The Guardian state that although the north London club’s chief transfer negotiator Dick Law has had talks with Schalke, a deal is more likely in the summer.
ESPN too have been told by FC Schalke 04 that their “position remains unchanged.”
“There is nothing [Schalke sporting director] Horst Heldt has to be concerned with,” said the Bundesliga side’s media director Thomas Spiegel late Wednesday evening.
German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung are also sceptical of a move going ahead this month.
“Arsenal’s fabled delegation never arrived nor announced themselves in Gelsenkirchen on Wednesday.”
In 48 hours, we will know the truth.
COMMENTS