Arsenal are planning a last-ditch bid for Julian Draxler to avoid a bidding war for Schalke's attacking midfielder later this summer, according to the Mirror. Gunners representatives are expected to travel to Germany to try and push through a deal for the £35 million-rated 20-year-old before the transfer window closes in just over a week. The two clubs are set to hold talks, though the Bundesliga outfit are reluctant to sell this month even though Draxler has indicated he would be keen on a move. Arsenal see Draxler as having major potential as a striker in the future, and Arsene Wenger converted Robin van Persie into a forward after he joined from Feyenoord in 2004. It remains unlikely that Schalke will give the green light to the starlet's move to the Emirates this month, though the Gunners are making one last-gasp effort to make the move go through. Draxler's arrival would give the Premier League-leading Londoners's title challenge a shot in the arm, while they're also aware they'll face tougher competition for the player this summer. Draxler is expected to spark a bidding war at the end of the season and Arsenal manager Wenger is keen to tie up a move now to avoid a frantic melee for his signature.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
