Julian Draxler threw a transfer bomb into Wolfsburg’s offices at the beginning of August. On the 2nd he gave an incredibly frank interview to German newspaper Bild and revealed he wanted a move.
By the 3rd The Independent were seriously linking Everton with a move for the player. The English newspaper claimed: ‘Ronald Koeman’s side have wasted no time in approaching him.
‘The 22-year-old declared on Wednesday morning that he wants to leave Wolfsburg, putting Europe’s top clubs on alert, but it is Ronald Koeman’s newly-rich side who have made the first move.
Wolfsburg have been insistent today that Draxler is going nowhere, but he has a release clause of €75million (£63m), the same sum that his club received from Manchester City for Kevin De Bruyne last summer.
That price, and Draxler’s preference for an established top club such as Arsenal, might make Everton outsiders. But they are determined to try for one of Europe’s most talented young players.’
Very exciting news for Everton fans, but there were several problems. Wolfsburg were insistent they wouldn’t sell, regardless of how much Draxler screamed, and the €75m clause wasn’t applicable for the last summer window.
There have since been suggestions in Germany that the clause, when it is applicable, is higher. Regardless of any clause, which almost certainly would be irrelevant in the winter window, Draxler’s situation would suggest a transfer is on the horizon.
That’s the impression Bild give on Sunday. Coming off as substitute in another Wolfsburg defeat, Draxler was whistled by his own fans. Slipping towards the relegation places it can be little shock that a star player who isn’t performing as such, and who tussled for a transfer in the summer, isn’t receiving adoration.
Draxler isn’t happy and has once again spoken to Bild and said it’s easy to imagine how the whistles would impact somebody. The Wolfsburg player then referenced his summer comments as a way to explain his stance right now. He wants out.
Bild headline their article ‘Draxler in winter away from Wolfsburg’ and there’s a couple of sub-headlines backing that up, such as ‘Wolfsburg and Draxler – the divorce comes in winter!’
The problem is there’s no clear destination. As well as Everton, PSG were linked, but there doesn’t appear to be a club pushing hard to sign the player.
Could that present an opportunity for Ronald Koeman?
Let’s face it. Everton wouldn’t have been considered a natural home for Draxler in recent seasons, given that he’s been one of the best talents in Germany and would cost a great deal.
It would still be an unlikely deal, and Everton’s start to the season doesn’t suggest an impending Champions League breakthrough. But to improve the club need to sign better players and there’s no harm in trying.
The player is unhappy, his fans don’t like him, Wolfsburg are in full crisis mode. The Bild article is clearly an attempt to push the story back into the limelight, and if Everton were ever interested then it’s worth a shot.
And the €75m? Wolfsburg would be very fortunate to achieve that much now.
