The Story So Far-
Arsenal are currently holding on a deal to sign AS Monaco’s Thomas Lemar after showing interest in Paris Saint Germain winger Julian Draxler. Premier League sides Arsenal and Liverpool were given boosts when Draxler’s agent confirmed that his client is willing to accept offers from other clubs.
With ex-Barcelona star Neymar arriving at French club PSG for a transfer record fee for £198m; it had put a lot of players’ position in jeopardy. The Brazilian is looking to be the best in the world after joining the capital club and this may mean the exit for ace winger Julian Draxler.
It is difficult now to imagine how Unai Emery will play Neymar, Di Maria, Lucas Moura, Edinson Cavani and Draxler together. One or even two may have to sit out on the bench for most part of the season. And with the three South American’s working in tandem, Draxler seems to be the odd one out and may be termed as ‘surplus requirements’.
Wenger seems to be showing keen interest in Draxler who has made 25 appearances for the Parisians scoring 10 goals since arriving from German outfit Wolfsburg for a transfer fee of £35.5m. The 23 year old attacker is regarded as one of the most talented German footballers of this generation. Draxler also won the World Cup with his national side and has proved himself in the German and French league so far.
With Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanches’ future uncertain at the Emirates, Arsene Wenger needs to look at replacements in the transfer market to even think of a top four finish this season. And Draxler could be the one who could join the North-London club for a fee of around £40m.
Certainly Draxler is a talented winger and should fit in well with Wenger’s footballing philosophy, but more than that, he could come for a cheaper price than Monaco’s Lemar and could be equally effective.
However, the question that remains to be asked is if Paris are willing to sell him or not this season. PSG boss Unai Emery has claimed Draxler is a major part of his plans on building a foundation at the club.
Editor’s Take-
Wenger needs to stop being desperate for players that he wants in his squad and should rather look to sign, players who want to be in his squad. That has been the case with Alexis Sanchez, who eventually moved from the Emirates to Old Trafford and has till now done nothing to prove his worth for the Red Devils.
A few showings of skill at the top level does not justify the price tag that the Chilean international has been flaunting during the transfer window, which saw him become the highest paid star in the Premier League at the moment.
On the other hand, Arsenal did the right thing by selling him off and getting something out of the deal and it was better to sell him to United, than City, who are already a very formidable side.
