I've maintained all summer that i want him.

Of course, Mahrez is miles ahead of him, but i would settle for Draxler and still be very very happy if that's our solution for the winger.

I would be very happy with Draxler as well. He's still raw but he's got potential worth investing in.

i like him because he can do a good job on the wing right now, but i can still hold out hope for him becoming another van persie (football wise obviously).

Great news, if nothing else Wolfsburg being fucked over alone makes it good news. Juventus and Arsenal do seem likely destinations, Draxler did confirm in an interview that both clubs were in for him in the past

We should be all over this , forget Mahrez . Xhaka , Draxler and Mustafi + a good goalscorer would be a very good window by our standards.

id be interested, but only if we can call him julian instead of yewlian

He doesn't give an impression of being hungry for goals. He is young so may be Wenger will have something to work with. I am not so sure about him although right now any kind of talent would do.

I am losing hope for more attacking signings. When I read that Juve is a potential destination I gave up.

marv3llous wrote:

I've maintained all summer that i want him.

Of course, Mahrez is miles ahead of him, but i would settle for Draxler and still be very very happy if that's our solution for the winger.

Yeah same here. Mahrez first, failing that then Draxler...

Let's not kid ourselves though, we will be lucky to get either one.

Would be a good signing, but it's a bit gloomy to think neither will probably ever (again) hit the heights of Mahrez's last season in the Premier League.

Doesn't Draxler have a terrible record at LW (which is where people here envisage him playing) and a good one only at #10? Why would we sign a specialized #10 when we already have the one player who can play nowhere else? I know he "may be converted into a striker" but that's not a signing I would want to make for >50m euros at this time when we have so many holes in our attacking line-up.

I dont know where this is coming from? He broke through at LW and has just put in good performances from LW/RW for Germany, while Özil was playing CAM.

He's right, in his first few seasons for Schalke he was notably better playing in the hole than when he was on either wing. He changed his game in the last 18 months or so and now looks a lot more natural out wide

Draxler is the kind of not quite good enough signing I expect us to make before the window closes if we sign anyone.

At least with Draxler I see a guy who clearly has top class attributes and potential. He is inconsistent and not nailed on to ever become top class, but I much prefer a guy like that rather than someone who is good-ish without that potential.

I rate Mahrez significantly higher than this guy,but before the Mahrez links I guess I would be delighted if we signed Draxler.

I'd take either and not think twice about the one we didn't sign. Unless the other guy happens to have a stormer of a season.

He was nurtured to play left wing and when Holtby was sold he was given the number 10 position as Schalke.

His physique and style are reminiscent of Van Persie and has all of the physical tools to play as a striker but I don't see it just yet, his shooting accuracy is poor. He could grow to be a great striker but it's pointless signing him and waiting/hoping. Lacazette would be the better choice all things considered.

Draxler doesn't really score too many goals. Which was a big problem last year. Not really what we need right now. Mahrez is a level or two above.

Rex wrote:

At least with Draxler I see a guy who clearly has top class attributes and potential. He is inconsistent and not nailed on to ever become top class, but I much prefer a guy like that rather than someone who is good-ish without that potential.

Yeah thats what I mean though. Its very Arsene-y to sign someone who isn't quite there, doesn't really excel in the position we need or offer what we lack, etc Draxler a good player with the ball at his feet but his final ball is incredibly inconsistent and he'd be extremely frustrating to watch on the wing I think. I'd take him because our other options are Theo, Ox and Joel but I don't think I'd be even slightly excited about our season if he's our only signing before the window closes.

Draxler has the close control and techncial ability that is something you pay big money for. The fact that he's also 6'2" and quick make him even rarer.

Whatever he is now and however he plays, I think he could be moulded into something special in a number of positions.

Yes, but for the price we would have to pay for him, would you prefer someone who's closer to the final product or someone that needs to be molded? serious question... he would require a ton of money to get away from WB at this time...

USArsenal. Two points in response
a) We don't have quality players. Our front 3 literally only has Ozil and Sanchez. A third quality technician would go a long way towards lifting our quality
b) The price is the price. Transfer fees have gone wild like girls on spring break. 50m pounds for Draxler a year after City spent as much on each of Sterling and de Bruyne would not raise eyebrows.

Yeah, I kinda agree. We can more than afford to take a gamble or two as well.

There's going to be wastage when you build a squad challenging for the title. Gotta accept that as part of the process.

Wolfsburg released a statement, basically saying like it or not you are staying here no matter what.

USArsenal wrote:

Yes, but for the price we would have to pay for him, would you prefer someone who's closer to the final product or someone that needs to be molded?   serious question...   he would require a ton of money to get away from WB at this time...

I'd pay £50m for Draxler quite happily. That said, I don't see the forward you're talking about out there for that sort of money.

Not a fan of players releasing public statements like this but Wolfsburg are a shithouse garbage clusterfuck of a club, incredible how many players now they have fucked over or were bent over by in the last twelve months. Dumbest management around in Europe these days, lost Naldo for free and Schürrle and Kruse (even if I don't rate them) were made to leave needlessly because of the club's penchant to communicate with their players via the media.

Tough luck for Draxler, even though Wolfsburg's statements are worth nothing - remember last year that idiot Hecking saying he was 100% sure he'd keep De Bruyne, Perisic and Hunt, before and after the fact they were sold - he'll probably have to stay there because the only club who seems interested is Arsenal. And we all know Wenger will thank them for a nice phone call after being told that Draxler is not for sale

Here's the statement, for those that haven't seen it:

VfL Wolfsburg have issued a statement on the interview with Julian Draxler from August 3rd, 2016.
The Supervisory Committee and the Board of Directors at VfL Wolfsburg Fußball-GmbH feel the need to comment on the interview with Julian Draxler which was published in the 'BILD' newspaper, in order to clarify the current situation and dispel any possible resulting rumours.

VfL Wolfsburg wish to make it absolutely clear that at no time did those responsible at the club make either written nor oral commitments on the transfer of Julian Draxler within the current transfer period, which is due to end on August 31st, 2016. This is reiterated by a contractual release clause agreed upon with Julian Draxler and his management, which does not come into effect until summer 2017.
VfL Wolfsburg will not be selling Julian Draxler during the course of the current transfer period.

In joint discussions with Julian Draxler, VfL Wolfsburg again made it clear that they would not be granting the player’s wish to make a move. We now consider any possible uncertainties to have been eradicated and that all parties can revert back to a professional and responsible collaboration for the good of VfL Wolfsburg and, in particular, for our fans.

https://www.vfl-wolfsburg.de/en/info/news/detailspage/artikel/official-explanation-43424.html

Many news outlets claiming Everton are in talks for a £63m deal (his release clause). Would actually be possible if they are selling Lukaku to Chelsea.

But doesn't that article say that the release clause comes into action only in Summer '17? I don't follow.

Who knows. It's crazy season. At least starting this week, journalists will have football to report on.

Claudius wrote:

Many news outlets claiming Everton are in talks for a £63m deal (his release clause). Would actually be possible if they are selling Lukaku to Chelsea.

Or Stones.

jones wrote:

Not a fan of players releasing public statements like this but Wolfsburg are a shithouse garbage clusterfuck of a club, incredible how many players now they have fucked over or were bent over by in the last twelve months.

Not directly related but if anyone doubted the above: several reports popping up of Wolfsburg placing a €25m bid for... Simone Zaza.

I wonder what Klaus thinks of this

PSG rumored to be preparing a mega-bid.

Lot of chatter in German Media regarding a move to PSG. 75 million is the price quoted.

Draxler is a promising talent but paying that price for him is madness.