Arsenal Line-Up Move For Miroslav Klose After Suffering Blow In Draxler Pursuit

With the January transfer window entering it’s final stages clubs are working hard to try and strengthen their squad for the second half of the season, so we’ll keep you up-to-date with all the latest news, gossip and rumours. Today, Gooner Mac gives us the latest on Arsenal pursuit of Julian Draxler.

As we head into the final stages of the winter transfer window it appears Arsene Wenger has come up with a ‘Plan B’ in case his move for No.1 target Julian Draxler fails to come off.

We’re still working hard to try and find an agreement for Draxler but with the German transfer window closing at 5pm on Friday, time is running out to land the 20-year-old attacker and we received a blow today when Schalke sporting director Horst Heldt insisted the club have no intention of selling the midfielder this month.

Heldt was speaking at a press conference this afternoon when he said that he was ‘convinced’ Draxler would remain with the club as they have no interest in selling, although he did concede that they would consider any serious offers that came in.

“We are happy to have such a world-class player in our lines. I am very convinced that Draxler will be playing for us in the Rückrunde [second half of the season] but most probably beyond that,”

“We are not interested in letting Julian leave, and he has also not approached us about a transfer.” [Source: Guardian.]

When asked about whether Arsenal official’s were in Germany this week to hold talks, Heldt continued:

“I checked my office if someone was waiting for me, but nobody was there.”

“Of course, there are always other clubs interested in him, and should someone make a serious offer for him, then we as a club have to professionally consider that. That does not only apply to Julian Draxler, but to every other player.”

With our move for Draxler seemingly faltering, Goal claim that Wenger has lined-up Lazio striker Miroslav Klose and Real Madrid youngster Alvaro Morata as possible alternatives for the German attacker.

The report suggests that of the two back-ups, Klose is the more likely to arrive with the 35-year-old no longer considered as first choice at Lazio and may be open to the move ahead of the World Cup. While he’s coming to the end of a superb career that’s seen him score 203 goals in 514 club appearances as well 68 in 130 for Germany, Klose is still one of the best finishers around and has scored 5 goals in 13 appearances this season, so would certainly offer a real goal threat up front.

At 21, Morata is far less experienced or proven but with Real Madrid understood to be reluctant to let him leave this month, it may prove difficult to lure him away from the Bernabeu anyway, so Klose could be our best bet if Draxler doesn’t come off.

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Are you still hopeful we’ll sign Draxler? Would Klose be a good alternative? Share your views below.