There seems to be a bit of a stand off developing between the Arsenal transfer target Julian Draxler and his current club Wolfsburg, set off this week by comments from the German Bundesliga club declaring that their player is not for sale and will not be sold this summer.
The highly rated young attacking star has taken these comments well and has issued his own, pretty much accusing the club, it’s head coach Dieter Hecking and the sporting director Klaus Allofs of going back on a verbal agreement made when Draxler signed for them last summer, as reported by the Evening Standard.
The Germany international said, “I have expressed myself clearly to [Wolfsburg head coach] Dieter Hecking after the Euros that I want to leave Wolfsburg. The coach has known for over three weeks. I am astonished that for weeks the communication to me has been through the media. I expected otherwise.
“Two days after [Germany’s Euro 2016] semi-final exit, I have said to him how I see the whole situation and what I want, namely to leave the club. I am back in Germany now and the talking to me is in the media – not to me in person.
“We had a verbal agreement when I joined in August 2015 that I could leave the club if the possibility arose,” Draxler added. “With Hecking as well as Allofs.
“It was clear that Wolfsburg had good prospects but that it should also be a springboard. It was always clear between all parties that I would like to go to a top international club if the chance came. It was discussed that we speak reasonably with one another if other clubs showed interest.”
So does this mean that Draxler is aware of some interest in him coming from what he regards as a top international club? If so then I very much doubt he is talking about the transfer bid reported by The Mirror from our Premier League rivals Everton. Ronald Koeman and The Toffees may want him but they have no European football to offer, whereas the Gunners with our annual place in the Champions League certainly count as a top club.
So is Draxler’s anger at Wolfsburg down to his awareness that Arsenal want to sign him and his desire to join his international teammate (who he just happened to spend some of the summer holiday with) Mesut Ozil and play for the Arsenal?
Bob.