Schalke have revealed that they have turned down a bid from Juventus for German international Julian Draxler.
Juventus have had a busy summer so far as they continue to rebuild their team. The reigning Italian champions have lost some key players in this transfer window with Andrea Pirlo, Carlos Tevez and Arturo Vidal exiting Turin, but they have made some impressive signings as well. Sami Khedira has joined the club as a free transfer, while they have beefed up their attack with the acquisition of Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic and Simone Zaza.
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Juventus are now keen to add a playmaker to their squad following the departure of Vidal and both Mario Gotze and Julian Draxler have drawn their interest so far. Last week, Italian media reported that Juventus have opened negotiations with Schalke regarding the transfer of Draxler.
Schalke sporting director Horst Heldt confirmed back then that Juventus have asked their permission to open talks with Draxler and his agent, which they have granted. Draxlera s agent Roger Wittmann then came out and said that the deal could be concluded for a 25 million as the previously mentioned release-clause (of a 45 million) is no longer active.
Schalke confirms they have received and rejected Juventusa offer
Reports have now emerged that the German club have received and turned down a bid of a 22 million from Juventus, for the prized midfielder. Horst Heldt has confirmed the reports and insisted that they are not open for any further negotiations for Draxler.
“I can confirm that we received an offer late this afternoon from Juventus. I took a look at it and then decided we would reject it and we have informed Juventus that we are not open to any further talks.
“We don’t want them to contact our player either. That’s the bottom line.” – Horst Heldt told SchalkeTV.
Marotta claims they are in no a rusha
Juventus director Beppe Marotta has claimed that despite this rejection, they are not in a rush to buy a player currently as they already have a pretty strong squad. But he did confirm that the club will try and sign a left back and a play-maker before the transfer window closes.
a In a very realistic way, there are many proposals in the market. Today we presented an offer based on our evaluations and I think therea s still a big gap.
a That was one of the many proposals we have put forward during this market. The player belongs to Schalke 04, so obviously it ultimately depends on them.
a We are in no rush but the squad at [Massimiliano] Allegria s disposal is solid and we are trying to add a few cherries to the cake. We are working on a playmaker, or at least a midfielder with certain characteristics, and a left-back who can act as an alternative to Patrice Evra while Kwadwo Asamoah recovers from his injury.
a We are looking for eclectic players, who can allow us to set out the team in various different ways. We are looking for a midfielder with certain characteristics.a – The Juventus director Beppe Marotta told Sky Sport Italia.
Juventus will need to match Schalkea s valuation
According to the Guardian, Schalke are unwilling to sell Draxler for anything less than a 30 million, and Juventus are not keen to meet that demand.
Juventus have also been linked with Bayern Munich play-maker Mario Gotze. Initial reports suggested that the German champions are willing to entertain offers, but it is Gotze who has stalled this move as he is unsure about moving to Italy at this point of his career. But Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has now come out and said that the former Borussia Dortmund star wona t be sold this summer, and that he will have his chance to impress Pep Guardiola next season.
With Gotze looking more and more unlikely, Juventus might be forced to increase their offer for Draxler and meet Schalkea s valuation of the player. That would complete a really good summer for the Italian champions.
#Heldt: “This afternoon we received and rejected a bid for Julian #Draxler from @juventusfcen.” #s04 pic.twitter.com/HVgrzHQyct
a FC Schalke 04 (@s04_en) July 27, 2015
