Arsenal dealt Julian Draxler transfer blow as Bayer Leverkusen ‘close in on free transfer for out-of-contract PSG star… with German worried about game-time under Mikel Arteta’
- Julian Draxler’s contract at Paris Saint-Germain runs out at the end of the season
- Arsenal have long been linked with a move with the Germany international
- But TodoFichajes claim he prefers a return to the Bundesliga this summer
- Bayer Leverkusen are reportedly leading the way for the 27-year-old’s signature
Arsenal have suffered a blow in the transfer market with Bayer Leverkusen closing in on a move for Julian Draxler, according to reports in Spain.
Draxler’s contract at Paris Saint-Germain ends in June and talks regarding a renewal at the Parc des Princes have stalled with the Germany international having started just half of his 16 Ligue 1 appearances this season.
And TodoFichajes claim that while the Gunners are interested in signing the 27-year-old, he prefers a return to the Bundesliga having represented Schalke and Wolfsburg prior to his move to France.
Bayer Leverkusen are reportedly closing in on signing PSG’s Julian Draxler in a blow to Arsenal
Draxler reportedly has concerns about his playing time under Gunners boss Mikel Arteta
The report adds that Draxler is concerned about whether he would see regular playing time under Mikel Arteta, and is therefore leaning towards playing at a club where he would be a regular fixture in the side, such as Bayer Leverkusen.
It also adds that Peter Bosz’s side have followed Draxler for a long time and are now close to convincing him to join, with a move on a free transfer enabling the German side to offer him one of the best pay packets in the squad.
Draxler has been heavily linked with a move to north London ever since his Schalke days, but after a failed January move to the Emirates Stadium in 2014, he was again linked with the club in 2017 before electing to move to PSG.
Peter Bosz and Bayer Leverkusen are therefore said to lead the chase for the Germany star
He has won three Ligue 1 titles and scored 23 goals in 160 appearances for PSG, but denied a move to the Premier League was ever close before joining the French outfit.
‘You know we have been in talks with some clubs in England as well, but this time I decided to make the decision as to what I feel and what I prefer for myself,’ he previously told the BBC.
‘There were some teams that wanted me from the Premier League but it was not like it was very, very close.
‘It was just my opinion that I am the best player for PSG at the moment – so that’s what I decided.’
The German more recently has been linked with a swap-deal to Arsenal including the likes of Matteo Guendouzi and Hector Bellerin.
Draxler has previously been linked with swap deals to manufacture a move to Arsenal involving full-back Hector Bellerin (left) and out-of-favour midfielder Matteo Guendouzi (right)
