With Riyad Mahrez not out of the picture, if he ever was in it to begin with, Arsenal are ready to make a move for Julian Draxler from Wolfsburg, with a bid already made by the Premier League club.
Following a disastrous opening match of the season, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is under pressure to sign a few marquee names, both in defence and in attack. While Shkodran Mustafi remains the primary target for the Gunners – the likes of Omer Toprak, Simone Kjaer and Jose Gimenez have also been linked – in the defensive department, various names have been thrown out in the forward end, with Draxler now possibly closing in on a move to the Emirates,
That is, according to Transfermarketweb, who claim Arsenal have made a bid for Draxler worth €50 million (£43.3m), with Wolfsburg seriously considering accepting it.
The report claims Wolfsburg will sign Simone Zaza from Juventus, despite recent reports to the contrary, and having completed the signing of Germany international Mario Gomez, they are ready to let Draxler leave the club this summer.
Draxler had earlier confirmed his intention of departing Wolfsburg, making that particular wish public, with the German club quickly putting out a statement saying there was no way the 22-year-old was leaving the club this season.
However, that did not stop the transfer rumour train from linking Draxler to various clubs, with the most recent ones suggesting the former Schalke man was closing in on a move to PSG. However, Arsenal have remained in the hunt for Draxler, and are now ready to make a firm move.
If the report turns out to be true, it will be a welcome signing for Arsenal fans, who have been crying out all summer for the club to show some intent in the transfer market.
Draxler is not the speedy central striker that Wenger has wanted all summer, but his ability to score and create goals from wide positions will be welcomed. Arsenal have also been linked with another forward in James Rodriguez, who is set to leave Real Madrid, so it will be interesting to see who the Premier League side buy, if anyone at all.
