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On December 4th, German newspaper Bild published an article saying Julian Draxler would be banished to the stands by Wolfsburg and sold in the winter window. On the 5th, they speculated who would take him and Arsenal were involved.

Arsene Wenger has long been linked with a move for Draxler, and he could add to the club’s German contingent of Mesut Ozil, Per Mertesacker and Shkodran Mustafi.

The problem is, Bild was referring to all the interest as old. Arsenal, PSG and Juventus all had been interested, but there was nothing to suggest there’s anything new. Such was Bild’s keenness to try and establish a link, they basically made Arsenal second favourites to sign the player because he’d been on holiday with Ozil in the summer.

Germany’s Wolfsburger Allgemeine then on the 8th reported historical interest from Arsenal and Juventus, and said the player’s price for a winter move has been set at €36m.

Of course, it was all timed perfectly for English media claims over the weekend, and The Express claimed an exclusive on Sunday saying: ‘ARSENE WENGER is set to open Arsenal’s cheque book next month with a £30 million move for Wolfsburg winger Julian Draxler.’

At today’s exchange rates, that’s pretty much €36m. How convenient.

Ergo, if there’s any truth in The Express claims, then Arsenal’s bid would be enough to please Wolfsburg.