Of all the clubs involved in the chase for German attacking Julian Draxler, Chelsea and Arsenal are thought to be favourites to land him, if the reports are to be believed.
The Schalke 04 midfielder, who signed a six-year-deal in the summer and has a release clause of €45m, spoke about his admiration about English football and Arsenal in particular. He himself claimed that he remains in touch with Arsenal players Mesut Ozil and Per Mertesacker while the Evening Standard reported yesterday that the player is unhappy with the new role given to him by Jens Keller.
Realistically, neither Chelsea nor Arsenal need Draxler. Arsenal have an avalanche of attacking midfielders and there is hardly any need to over crowd that area. Further, Draxler will have to play the role of second fiddle to Mesut Ozil in the no 10 role, where as there is no shortage of competitors on the flanks as well.
Similarly, Chelsea have Oscar as first choice for no 10, while players like Juan Mata and Willian doesn’t get regular games. Still, going by the reports, the Blues have a better chance to snap him up. German newspaper, The Bild reports, Chelsea would be looking to wrap up a deal with Schalke, involving Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne as a player-plus-cash-exchange offer.
The €45m release clause is only applicable in the summer therefore, should Chelsea move early in the January, they could get him within €30m. That make sense, because, De Bruyne really needs games under his belt to bolster his chances of playing at the World Cup and a move to Germany would suit him well, as he impressed there last season with Werder Bremen.
There is no harm in adding quality players to the squad, but really, do Chelsea need any more attacking midfielders? The money could be better used elsewhere.
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