When one thinks of Julian Draxler and the Premier League, the club which most prominently springs to mind is Arsenal. Arsene Wenger has been repeatedly linked with making a move for the German international, and those rumours were given a boost during the summer transfer window.
At the beginning of August Draxler gave an interview to German newspaper Bild and made it very clear he wanted to leave Wolfsburg. There could be no mistaking the player’s intentions, and the interview was clearly designed to force a transfer.
In the Bild article which launched the story, there were only two clubs named, those were Arsenal and Juventus. It was claimed signing Draxler was a topic of conversation at both the clubs.
Then followed many rumours, and German newspaper Wolfsburger Allegmeine told Arsenal and Juventus: ‘€70m, €80m or higher transfer fee does not seem unrealistic’
If those figures had been optimistic during the summer, now they’re plain unrealistic.
Draxler isn’t having a great season and Wolfsburg are at the wrong end of the table. Subbed off at the weekend, the German international was whistled by his own fans, and afterwards reiterated to Bild that he wants out.
Monday’s copy of Bild covers the situation and runs a headline saying: ‘Exiled in the stands, and in the winter away’
Wolfsburg manager Valérien Ismaël is quoted as saying: “I have shown with my decision in which direction it is going for me. I take no notice of names. I need players who are ready for the fight.”
Bild very much feel that doesn’t include the 23 year old, and add: ‘Draxler can continue to train with the team, but should no longer play, is banished to the stands. The separation in January is therefore inevitable.’
A Draxler exit would required at least one club to be interested and ready to pay a big fee, although surely nowhere near previous estimates. This looks likes a chance to sign a player who has been coveted for several years by some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
With the injury to Santi Cazorla, and the Spaniard’s contract expiring in the summer, there may well be a formation in which Wenger could see Draxler shining for Arsenal. It’s certainly worth consideration, and not only for the Gunners.
When Draxler moved from Schalke to Wolfsburg in August 2015, the fee was undisclosed but widely reported as being around €30m. Wolfsburg had wanted to make a huge profit on that, but given the transfer has turned into a disaster, they may sell for not too far from that figure.
