If Arsenal really want to secure a signing that will offer competition on the flanks, then they may have just been handed a huge boost as the season edges closer.
As part of an exclusive interview, Julian Draxler has confirmed to German newspaper BILD that he wants to leave Wolfsburg this summer in search of football at a top international club.
The 23-year-old was hotly tipped to become one of the very best in his position, but a number of injuries and failure to play alongside top talent ultimately halted his progression.
But after Wolfsburg came out publicly to state that the German youngster would be staying at the club, Draxler has reacted in a way that has Arsene Wenger rubbing his hands.
Following another dismal season that saw Wolfsburg drop to eighth place, it seems the midfielder has finally grown tired of the failed promises the Bundesliga side have had to offer.
Here’s what he’s told BILD, which has been translated by the guys at Sport Witness.
For me, it is so that I have expressed myself clearly after the Euros, with Dieter Hecking that I want to leave Wolfsburg. The coach has known for more than three weeks.
Two days after the semi-final at the Euro’s I told him how I see the whole situation and what I want – which is to leave the club.
It seems Draxler has made his feelings pretty clear, and now it’s believed Arsenal are waiting in the wings with a bid as they toil over the availability of Riyad Mahrez.
Nothing concrete has come to suggest Mahrez is on the cards, and following this news Wenger now knows that Draxler is an easy target to solve his issues on the right-wing.
Happy with playing in any three of those attacking positions, he’s capable of drafting Theo Walcott out of the side as competition begins to hot up on that right-wing ahead of the new season.
Draxler has now become sick of the way Wolfsburg have treated him, and following the departure of Andre Schurlle and failure to bring in any big names, he too wants out.
I was verbally assured with my transfer in August 2015 that I can leave the club when given opportunities. Both from Hecking, as well as Allofs.
It was always clear between all parties that I would like to go to a top international club if the opportunity arises.
It was discussed that we speak rationally with one another if other clubs show interest.
His comments don’t make easy reading for Wolfsburg fans, who will now want to ensure he doesn’t stick around in Germany’s top division and instead finds a club elsewhere in Europe.
With Champions League football and regular first team action to offer, Arsenal now stand as front-runners to get Draxler’s signature if Wenger can stump up the cash.
The links to Draxler have always been mulling around for the last few weeks, but could this be the start of the Gunners transfer business hotting up?
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