Arsenal transfer news: Gunners poised to swoop as Julian Draxler's Wolfsburg future thrown into doubt
Arsene Wenger tried last season to bring the German winger to the Emirates
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Arsenal have been given a major boost in their pursuit of Germany international Julian Draxler after Wolfsburg suggested they may have to sell him this summer.
The Gunners are being linked with a club-record £55m move for the attacking midfielder by The Mirror after Wolfsburg’s sporting director Klaus Allofs implied that the 22-year-old’s future at the Volkswagen Arena may be in doubt.
Wolfsburg’s failure to qualify for next season’s Champions League also looks to have opened the door to the winger’s exit.
Draxler is currently on holiday after his Euro 2016 commitments with Germany came to an end following their semi-final defeat to France.
The winger scored his first international goal for the national side in Germany’s 3-0 victory over Slovakia and impressed at times with his dangerous running down the flanks.
But his return to Wolfsburg is likely to trigger talks over his future, according to Allofs.
“Clearly we have a lot to talk about,” Allofs said. “There were a few issues that have emerged in the past.”
Arsenal are running thin on options in attack at the moment but Draxler would make a welcome sight for fans as Arsene Wenger looks to solve his shortages problem.
At present, Olivier Giroud is on holiday following the conclusion of Euro 2016 and is unlikely to feature in the first game of the season, while Danny Welbeck is out injured until February after suffering a second serious knee injury in the space of a year.
That leaves Wenger with Theo Walcott and the untested Chuba Akpom as his only strike options.
However, even if Arsenal were to sign Draxler – who can be deployed in the ‘false nine’ role if needed – he is unlikely to be match fit in time for the opening fixture.
Time is of the essence for Wenger and he’ll need to act quickly in order to avoid heading into the season with a depleted front line.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments