Arsenal’s
hopes of completing an audacious £37million move for Julian Draxler this
month appear to have been dashed by a lengthy injury absence for one of
German football’s rising stars.
Arsene
Wenger has been strongly linked with an imminent bid for Schalke’s
attacking midfielder, and there were even suggestions he could be
heading to London for a medical this week.
But Sportsmail can
reveal that the 20-year old is heading to Munich, instead, for
treatment to a ruptured tendon that will keep him out until March.
They are
prepared to meet the release clause for Draxler, 20, who has been
identified as a priority target for the Gunners after an intensive
scouting drive.
Arsene
Wenger’s staff believe Draxler, who plays as an attacking midfielder for
Schalke, has the attributes to play as a lone centre forward.
Arsenal
think Draxler has similar qualities to those of Van Persie and Thierry
Henry, who arrived in north London as wingers but became prolific
goalscorers.
Schalke bosses have admitted they are powerless to stop him moving, once his 45million euro release clause is met.
Even though
it only kicks in once the season is over, general manager Horst Heldt
conceded that a bid of that amount this month would be impossible to
turn down.
He is not
expecting it to materialise now, however, after booking Draxler in for
an appointment with renowned specialist Hans-Muller Wohlfahrt in Munich
on Thursday.
Having
failed to land Luis Suarez or Wayne Rooney last summer and with limited
cover, Wenger has made signing a new centre forward a priority.
Olivier
Giroud made a goalscoring return from a knock in the 2-1 win against
Aston Villa on Monday night, but there is a risk should the Frenchman
pick up a serious injury.
Nicklas
Bendtner could be out for another three weeks, while Lukas Podolski has
struggled for form since returning from his fitness struggles.
Arsenal have also been linked with Real Madrid poacher Alvaro Morata in this transfer window.
The delay is also likely to scupper Schalke’s hopes of financing a January move for their former midfielder Lewis Holtby.
They are
keen to take him back to the Bundesliga, after being alerted to a clear
signal Tottenham are ready to sell, but need cash from the sale of
Draxler to fund it.
They may now
explore the possibility of taking Holtby on loan for the rest of the
season, with a view to a permanent transfer in the summer.
VIDEO: Scroll down to watch Arsenal target Julian Draxler show off his skills
Source : Dailymail
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