Wolfsburg have confirmed that Julian Draxler will join Paris Saint-Germain in January
Julian Draxler has been a long-term target of Arsenal, while recent reports indicated that Jurgen Klopp wanted to bring the German midfielder to Liverpool. However Draxler will be moving to Paris and not the Premier League.
Wolfsburg confirmed that they had reached an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain earlier today, with the winger joining the club when the January window opens.
Reports earlier this week indicated that PSG had an agreement with Wolfsburg over the transfer of the German international, but there was no confirmation from either club on any of these reports.
In an official statemtent posted on their website, Wolfsburg have now confirmed that he will join the French giants :
“Julian Draxler is to leave VfL Wolfsburg and sign for French club Paris Saint-Germain, pending a medical examination. The 23-year-old attacker has agreed to a four-year deal with the Ligue 1 titleholders and UEFA Champions League participants. Both clubs have agreed to keep the financial details of the deal confidential,” it read, on the clubs official website.
“We’ve had some very intense but constructive discussions with Paris Saint-Germain, Julian Draxler and his management over the past few days and we’re confident to have reached a satisfactory conclusion for all parties,” said Olaf Rebbe, Sporting Director.
Head coach Valérien Ismaël commented: “Of course I’m sad to see Julian go, because he’s an outstanding footballer. He gave everything in the recent matches against Frankfurt and Gladbach and once again showed how much this club meant to him. I hope his move to France provides him with a fresh challenge.”
Draxler was dropped from Wolfsburg’s match day squad after the match against Hertha Berlin, with reports stating he was sent home from training as the team departed. Draxler’s comments after the game about his intention to leave Wolfsburg were frowned upon by the management. and he was left out of the squad until finally making an appearance against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Draxler also featured against Borussia Monchengladbach in what has turned out to be his final game for Wolfsburg. The midfielder picked up an assist in each of those games and showed no signs of being distracted by the rumours about his future, and received a lukewarm reception by the same fans who booed him in the match against Hertha Berlin.
Draxler has only been at Wolfsburg for one season, having joined from FC Schalke 04 in August 2015. He played 34 Bundesliga matches, scoring five goals, and also made nine Champions League appearances and two in the DFB Cup. Draxler scored 23 goals in 153 Bundesliga appearances and has also received 27 caps for Germany.
At 23, Draxler has his best years ahead of him and PSG have signed a player who many see as destined for great things. Draxler is also eligible to play in the Champions League for PSG as Wolfsburg were not a part of the competition this season. This will provide a boost to manager Unai Emery, who faces the daunting task of attempting to defeat Barcelona in the knock-out stage.
