Arsenal Planning January Move For €47m-Rated Man Utd Target

The summer transfer window may be closed but managers are already thinking ahead to future transfer windows so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip. Today, Arsenal are linked with a move for Julian Draxler.

Arsenal have stepped up their interest in Julian Draxler ahead of a potential move for the €47m-rated German international this January, according to reports today.

Draxler has emerged as one of the most highly-rated youngsters in Europe over the past few years after breaking in to the Schalke first team set-up as a 16-year-old back in 2011.

He’s gone on to established himself as a regular in Jens Keller’s starting eleven and has already made over 150 appearances for the Bundesliga outfit, scoring an impressive 28 goals in the process.

His excellent form has understandably attracted interest from a whole host of top European sides with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid all understood to be keeping a close eye on his progress.

Arsenal have shown the most serious interest in luring the player to the Premier League with the Gunners strongly linked with a move for the 21-year-old last January, but Arsene Wenger was unwilling to pay the required €47m (£37m) to trigger the attackers buy-out clause.

However, it seems the Frenchman hasn’t given up hope of landing Draxler as the Daily Star are reporting that the Arsenal boss will renew his interest in the German international when the transfer window reopens in January and sent his scouts to watch the player in action against Maribor last Tuesday.

Schalke have always maintained that that won’t accept a penny less than his €47m (£37m) buy-out clause, so the North Londoners are going to have to dig deep if they want to sign Draxler, and the German side will also be reluctant to do business mid-season.

It remains to be seen how the likes of Man Utd will react when they hear Arsenal are ready to renew their interest, but I’d personally be surprised if either club was willing to spend over £35m on another attacker in January.

Arsenal signed Danny Welbeck and Alexis Sanchez in the summer and most will agree that the Gunners main focus should be strengthening their defence and defensive midfield positions this winter, rather than adding another skillful attacker to their ranks.

The same can be said for United as Louis van Gaal has an abundance of attacking talent at his disposal but has been forced to blood several youngsters at the back due to his limited options in the defensive department.

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So although Draxler is a huge talent and would make for an exciting addition to any squad, I think Wenger and van Gaal are more likely to concentrate on strengthening others areas when the window reopens in January.