Premier League side Everton are reportedly hoping to complete a deal for Wolfsburg winger and Arsenal target Julian Draxler.
Germany attacker Julian Draxler’s transfer saga has been doing rounds over the media for a number of months now, and the 22-year-old’s club future still hangs in jeopardy. After a series of conflicting reports, and interest from a number of top European sides, it seems that another team has joined the fray in the list of potential destinations for the German. That team is English club Everton.
According to Jack Pitt-Brooke of the Independent, Everton are eyeing a shock swoop for Julian Draxler and are set to snatch him from under the noses of Arsene Wenger and Arsenal. The Toffees have just made two signings this summer in the form of Martin Stekelenburg and Idriss Gueye and bringing in a player like Julian Draxler would certainly bolster an already formidable Everton attack.
However, due to the lack of Champions League football, the chances of them being turned down by the player are extremely high. Also, the player has a release clause of £63 million – a price that may prove to be a bit on the higher side for Ronald Koeman’s side.
Recently, Draxler expressed his desire to leave Wolfsburg as he wanted to take a step up and move to a bigger to elevate his game. He also said that he was given certain verbal guarantees while joining, and also hinted at the possibility of him having talks with clubs outside of Germany.
“I clearly told [Wolfsburg coach] Dieter Hecking after the European Championship that I wanted to leave Wolfsburg. When I moved in August 2015, I was verbally assured that I could leave the club if opportunities presented themselves.”
“Both by Hecking and from Allofs. It was always clear between all the parties involved that I wanted to go to an international top club if I had the chance,” said the Germany international.
The 22-year-old joined Wolfsburg from Schalke on deadline day last summer for a fee believed to be in the region of €36 million. He was bought by Dieter Hecking who hoped to lead the German side back into the Champions League, but it looks like Draxler is now unhappy at the club.
To make things even more complicated, the German side released a statement on Wednesday stating that Draxler is not for sale, despite him admitting that he wanted to leave. Now with a supposed bidding war on the cards between Arsenal and Everton, Wolfsburg may look at it as an opportunity to cash-in on the player.
