Newcastle United have reportedly opened talks with PSG star Julian Draxler’s representatives over a move to St. James’ Park this summer.
According to French outlet Le10sport, Newcastle United have made an enquiry for out-of-favour Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Julian Draxler, with the German international on an eleven-man dispensable list drawn up by the Ligue 1 champions.
In fact, it is claimed that Newcastle have touched base with PSG to find out Draxler’s price tag and have already spoken to his agents. The Parisians are looking to recoup between €20 million and €30 million to part ways with the former Schalke 04 starlet, who is deemed surplus to requirements, even though his contract running until 2024.
The 28-year-old was left out of PSG’s pre-season trip to Japan and is one of eleven players that PSG are looking to offload to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations and reduce the wage bill to help balance the books following astronomical spending in recent seasons, as well as make room for new arrivals.
Draxler moved to PSG from Wolfsburg in January 2017 and has made 198 appearances for them, recording 26 goals and 41 assists, picking up four Ligue 1 titles along the way. However, he has not been a regular for PSG in recent years. He made just 18 league appearances last term, scoring twice, as he failed to establish himself as a regular fixture of the squad due to the tremendous quality in the attacking department.
Draxler played for Germany as recently as March 2022, with 58 caps under his belt. So, he is someone in desperate need of a move away from the French capital in search of regular first-team football somewhere to have any hope of forcing his way into Die Mannschaft boss Hansi Flick’s plan for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.
The Magpies are in the market for a wide forward but have so far been left frustrated at the heavily inflated prices they have been quoted for their targets. Newcastle are interested in Leicester City’s Harvey Barnes, Everton’s Anthony Gordon, and Leeds United’s Jack Harrison but are unwilling to pay over the top for any of the three.
Should Newcastle get the signing of Draxler over the line, it will certainly be one of the most eye-catching and intriguing transfers of the summer. At first glance, he appears to be a perfect fit for Eddie Howe’s system; the PSG midfielder is two-footed and versatile to play anywhere across the pitch as a winger or as an attacking midfielder, he is creative, and he still has some turn of pace and trickery in his arsenal.
However, his lack of football in the recent season and negligible defensive output are a few of the downsides of this move. Furthermore, it is unknown whether the 28-year-old himself is interested in a switch to St, James’ Park, and will need to take a hefty pay cut to fit into Newcastle’s current wage structure. Only time will tell where these rumours hold any substance or are just mere speculation.
