Arsenal are reportedly leading Liverpool in the race to sign Julian Draxler from PSG in the winter transfer window.
According to a report by The Sun, Julian Draxler is the subject of interest from Arsenal and Liverpool over a possible move in the winter transfer window. The Gunners are, however, ahead of their Premier League rivals in the race to sign the German forward from PSG.
Draxler created quite the wave during the early phase of his career, when he became the second youngest starter in Bundesliga history with Schalke. Since then, the player has gone from strength to strength and is widely regarded as one of the most exciting young attacking talents in Europe.
Earlier this year, Draxler forced through a controversial move away from Wolfsburg to join PSG, but quickly established himself as a key figure at Parc des Princes. In just half a season with Les Parisiens, he bagged a respectable return of 10 goals and 3 assists, with several noteworthy performances.
However, only half a season into his move to PSG, the player has been pushed down the pecking order in Unai Emery’s side following the arrivals of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. In fact, widespread reports in the summer claimed that his spell in the French capital was coming to an end after just seven months with several clubs interested.
Those first-time finishes ?
? Schalke
? Wolfsburg
?? PSG
? World Cup
? German Cup
? French CupJulian Draxler only turns 24 today! pic.twitter.com/vIoIkkrW6C
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) September 20, 2017
However, Draxler decided to stay put and fight for his place in the first-team setup at Parc des Princes. With Neymar and Mbappe firmly established ahead of him, the Germany international is unlikely to be anything but a bit-part player under Emery. Therefore, a winter exit from PSG could be on the cards for Draxler.
His next destination, though, could be England, with two of the biggest Premier League sides reigniting their interest in the 24-year-old. Arsenal and Liverpool are two clubs that have followed the player’s progress for a long time now, and are interested in signing him in January as well.
At Arsenal, Alexis Sanchez’s departure from Emirates seems to be more a matter of when than if, even after Arsene Wenger managed to persuade the Chilean to stay put for the last year of his contract. With Sanchez likely to exit next summer in all likelihood though, Draxler is a viable target for Wenger as an early reinforcement.
The German’s possible addition could also tempt Mesut Ozil to finally put pen to paper on a new deal at Arsenal, with his current contract set to expire next summer as well. However, the North London club face stiff competition for Draxler, with Liverpool in the fray as well.
Like Arsenal, Liverpool are in a precarious position, with Philippe Coutinho likely to leave the club next summer after a failed Barcelona move. Thus, even though Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah are going strong in attack, Jurgen Klopp could sign his compatriot as a direct, early replacement for the Brazilian playmaker.
However, Liverpool will have to make some ground in their pursuit of the 24-year-old, with Arsenal the current favourites to sign him in January. It now remains to be seen if the either club indeed manages to secure the services of Draxler, who could seek pastures anew with a place in Germany’s squad for the 2018 World Cup in mind.
