Arsenal have suffered a major blow in their chase for Julian Draxler, after Schalke O4 sporting director Horst Heldt insisted the Bundesliga outfit have no interest in selling one of their prized asset in the January transfer window.
The Gunners were heavily linked with a move for the 20-year-old and several reports suggested that the North London club have sent representatives to hold talks with the German club over the possible move.
Heldt said he is convinced the highly rated German international will be staying at the club in January and beyond the summer. He said as quoted in The Guardian:
“We are happy to have such a world-class player in our lines. I am very convinced that Draxler will be playing for us in the Rückrunde [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.”
He further added: “I checked my office if someone was waiting for me, but nobody was there.
“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.”
The Germany international has a £37m buy-out clause, but Arsenal are looking to get him at a much reduced price, around £30m, and now it seems that any chances of landing him is all but over.
Draxler is highly rated in world football and was named one of the ‘Ten Best Young Players in Europe’ by Guardian earlier this month.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9Pg3r8jXrs
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
