Liverpool have entered the race to sign Julian Draxler, according to reports.
Draxler had been left out of Wolfsburg’s match day squad after the match against Hertha Berlin, when he was booed by fans. Draxler’s comments after the game about his intention to leave Wolfsburg did not go down well with the management and he was left out of the squad until finally making an appearance against Eintracht Frankfurt this past week.
However Wolfsburg have now decided to sell the youngster, who is clearly unsettled and not interested in playing for the club long-term, and both Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal interested in services.
Mesut Ozil was even said to have asked that Draxler be signed as a part of his contract negotiations with Arsenal, but reports emerged yesterday that PSG had reached an agreement with the German international.
Draxler was reportedly “still deciding” between Arsenal and PSG and he might now have another club to choose from. According to the Times, Jurgen Klopp has now identified the midfielder as a potential target in the January transfer window, and will attempt to battle Arsenal and PSG to sign the 23-year old midfielder.
The report states that Klopp is looking to boost his attacking options and wants Draxler, but that the issue for Liverpool might be the fee they have to pay. Draxler only joined Wolfsburg last season from Schalke in a £30 million deal, signing a 5 year contract.
Seeing as his contract runs until 2020, Wolfsburg will not want to sell the German for a pittance, but will no doubt be open to some negotiation due to the situation that has developed between Draxler, the fans and the club.
Klopp wants to reinforce his attack, with Sadio Mane departing for the Africa Cup of Nations in January, as Liverpool look to continue their assault on the Premier League title. The Reds are relatively well stocked up front and Daniel Sturridge’s return during Monday’s Merseyside derby victory provided a further boost to the side.
However, Sturridge is injury prone and with Mane departing, Klopp could be a couple of injuries away from being in trouble.
Klopp will know Draxler’s capabilities well from his time as manager of Borussia Dortmund and the German international might also find it much easier to settle at Liverpool because of his compatriot. Should it come down to a price war however, it is unlikely that Liverpool will be able to contend with PSG’s riches.
