Why aren't Arsenal trying to sign Draxler this summer?

Stefan Bienkowski

• 16 Aug 2021 11:02 BST
• 3 min read

It has been a running joke for some time now that every summer welcomes refreshed transfer rumours linking Julian Draxler to Arsenal.

Whether he was a fresh-faced youngster at Schalke, a Bundesliga star at Wolfsburg or a genuine star at Paris Saint-Germain, the German international could never escape constant stories suggesting a move to North London every year.

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And yet, in a summer that such rumours would be welcomed and when Draxler’s time at PSG seems to be coming to an end, the attacking midfielder is instead being heavily linked with a return to Germany.

Arsenal could use a player like Draxler

According to German newspaper Kicker, an “unnamed Bundesliga club” have already launched a bid for Draxler, with the midfielder now looking surplus to requirement in Paris.

However, instead of procrastinating over asking prices for Martin Odegaard, Arsenal should instead be seriously considering a bid for Draxler in the coming weeks.

While the German talent has somewhat lost his shine in Paris due to his role as a back-up player, Draxler has still bagged 25 goals and 40 assists over the course of 177 games for PSG, at a rate of a goal or assist every two games.

Mikel Arteta’s side desperately need some playmaking and goals from midfield this season and Draxler could be an inexpensive addition that solves a lot of their problems.

How much would he cost?

Although Draxler is currently valued at €30.1 million, reports in Germany suggest PSG may only want €20m for the midfielder and that an unnamed Bundesliga side have bid even less than that for the midfielder.

As such, it would seem unlikely that Arsenal would have to break the bank to sign the midfielder, whose contract is set to expire in Paris in 2024.

There’s no doubt that Draxler may demand high wages, but the lack of a high up-front fee may compensate for that if Arsenal do consider signing the player.