Arsenal are reportedly considering launching an attempt to secure the signing of PSG midfielder Julian Draxler, who will be a free agent in the summer.
According to a report from Fussball Transfers, Premier League bigwigs Arsenal could make a move to sign German international Julian Draxler at the end of the season when his contract expires with current club PSG.
Draxler, 27, has been with PSG since January 2017, having joined them from German outfit VfL Wolfsburg. During his time at the French capital club, the attacking midfielder has npt always been a regular starter given the attacking riches that the club have had at their disposal. Till date, he has featured 168 times for the Parisiens scoring 24 goals and registering 37 assists.
The ongoing season has seen the German international operate largely in a bit-part capacity, having started just nine Ligue 1 games so far. Overall, he has made 28 appearances in all competitions, still producing a decent tally of four goals and five assists.
Nevertheless, Draxler’s time at Parc des Princes is drawing to an end as his current contract with the club runs out at the end of the season, with no renewal forthcoming. The 27-year-old’s free agency has alerted a number of clubs across Europe, with Arsenal said to be one among them, as per the aforementioned report.
Mikel Arteta & co. have endured a forgettable 2020/21 campaign, although that could change if they go on to win the UEFA Europa League. Nonetheless, there need to be restructures made to the squad before next season if they are to re-emerge as challengers for a top four or even a top six finish. And, the attacking midfield slot is one where reinforcements are of utmost necessity.
Having frozen Mesut Ozil out of the first-team in the early parts of the campaign, Arsenal suffered due to a lack of creative presence in the final third. And while the ex-Real Madrid star departed in January, the signing of Martin Odegaard on loan from Los Blancos coupled with Emile Smith Rowe’s rise in prominence has eased those problems to a large extent.
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But, it must not be lost on Arsenal that Odegaard is at the club only on loan and will cost them a fortune to sign permanently – something that will be difficult if they miss out on European football. In addition to that Norwegian international is also attracting interest from the Gunners’ league rivals Liverpool, with the midfielder said to be open to joining the Reds.
To that end, Arsenal have been looking at alternatives, with Christopher Nkunku linked with a move. And now, Draxler has also registered on their radars. The fact that the German international will be available on a free transfer is sure to appeal to the north London giants.
However, the report adds that Draxler has been offered to Bayern Munich, which could complicate matters. It now remains to be seen if Arsenal do make a move for the ex-Schalke star in the summer or look at other options to bolster their attacking unit for next season.
