Arsenal are desperately trying to push through a deal for talented play-maker Julian Draxler in the remaining days of the January transfer window.
While Draxler’s current club Schalke 04 want to retain the player for the season, with an eye on the knockout phases of the Champions League of course, it is rumored that any amount north of £35 million might seal the deal. Representatives from Arsenal are reportedly on their way to Schalke to negotiate the transfer.
Draxler himself might be all set for the switch, as a move from a club out of contention for Bundesliga to the league leaders in England is a significant upgrade by and large. His goals in both home and away ties against FC Basel in the Champions’ League group stages have propped Schalke in the knockout rounds.
Proven his mettle in the Bundesliga, a good end of season with the Gunners might help the 20-year old to bag a starting role for Germany in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
The demands of the Premier League might be something that he would cope with up, given the muted performances of Lewis Holtby, his predecessor in Schalke midfield.
For Arsenal, the transfer might open up avenues for an additional goal threat, something the club would dearly look forward to since Olivier Giroud is the only performing act upfront for them. Probably a part exchange with current Gunner Lucas Podolski can act as a sweetener and lead Schalke to agree to the offer, but both clubs would be looking at this over a long horizon given that they might end up buying cup-tied stars for the remaining season.
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