Arsenal fly in for Draxler
ARSENAL were last night rushing to complete a £37million swoop for Schalke sensation Julian Draxler. The Gunners are increasingly confident that a deal to sign the 20-yearold will be completed before tomorrow night’s transfer deadline.
Sportsmail first revealed Arsenal’s pursuit of Draxler earlier this month, with manager Arsene Wenger believing the Germany forward can be moulded into the next Robin van Persie or Thierry Henry.
Arsenal chiefs have flown to Gelsenkirchen in an attempt to push through the move. Negotiations will continue today, but there is a strong feeling a deal will be concluded.
Schalke are refusing to budge on their £37m valuation. Arsenal have been reluctant to go above £30m but fears of missing out on a player Wenger desperately wants have forced them to ramp up their efforts. The attacking midfielder is nursing an ankle injury but should be fit by the end of February.
Wenger is also keen on taking young Spaniards Cristian Tello and Alvaro Morata on loan. Arsenal have enquired about Barcelona’s Tello and have made fresh contact with Real Madrid regarding Morata.
Aaron Ramsey could be out for a month, with the thigh injury that has kept him out since Boxing Day causing him discomfort in training on Monday. Jack Wilshere is also set to miss Sunday’s game against Crystal Palace with an ankle problem, while Mathieu Flamini is banned after his red card against Southampton. Arsenal hope Tomas Rosicky will be fit after recovering from illness and a broken nose.
Meanwhile, Wenger is sure to be frustrated after Arsenal’s FA Cup fifth-round clash against Liverpool was scheduled for Sunday, February 16. The club wanted to play it the day before, to give the team time to recover for their Champions League clash against Bayern Munich on the Wednesday. But the Saturday lunchtime slot has gone to Manchester City v Chelsea.
This week, Wenger and Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho argued over whether Arsenal get an easy ride over fixtures. Mourinho said the Emirates club have an ‘influence’, something Wenger was quick to refute, citing his side’s hectic schedule before Christmas. Now they face two huge games in quick succession against Liverpool and Bayern, who play on the Saturday, 24 hours before Arsenal.