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Draxler On Bayern, Real Madrid + Barca…But No Mention Of Arsenal

By on February 25, 2014

Long-term Arsenal target Julian Draxler has spoken out on his future and has refused to rule out a possible move to Bayern Munich, while he’s also called Real Madrid and Barcelona the “most illustrious names in world football”.

The German international was strongly linked with a move to the Emirates last summer and we held lengthy talks with Schalke about a possible move during the January transfer window.

However, the Bundesliga club have already confirmed they rejected a bid from us last month and we were unable to agree a fee as they were adamant they won’t sell for anything less than his €45m (£37m) buy-out clause – a figure Arsene Wenger refused to meet.

Draxler has now said the buy-out clause is good news for both him and Schalke as it gives him control over his own future, but also guarantee’s the club will receive a sizeable fee for his services when/if he does leave. He told reporters:

“I prolonged my contract because I feel fine here and the long-term deal shows the appreciation and popularity I enjoy at Schalke,”

“It’s no secret that I have a release clause and therefore have the opportunity to consider what is best for my development every year.

“Of course, the clause leaves a lot of room for speculation, but it is also good for both sides. It’s good for Schalke because the club does not have to let go of me on the cheap and, in their worst-case scenario, they would still get a lot of money for me. And for me it’s good because I can make my own decision if a club decides to pay 45 million euros for me and I want a new challenge.” [source: ESPN]

As well as Arsenal, Bayern Munich were also linked with the 20-year-old last month and rumours have suggested the European champions have told Draxler they would be keen on buying him in the summer.

Schalke have insisted Draxler would never join their fierce rivals, but the player seems less convinced as he pointed to the example of Manuel Neuer, who as a life-long Schalke supporter, ended up joining Bayern and hasn’t looked back. He continued:

“I’d prefer not to comment on all those rumours,”

“Look at what happened with Manuel Neuer. He was 100 percent convinced that he would never join FC Bayern but, after having played as a pro for five years, time made him change his opinion.

“I also can’t say what I will think in five or six or maybe even 10 years. And when you rule something out entirely and you end up playing where most people don’t want you to be, the outcry is huge.” Draxler said

Real Madrid are another side who’ve been credited with interest in Draxler and when quizzed about whether he’d be keen on moving to the Bernabeu, the German international again fuelled the speculation by calling Madrid, along with Barcelona, the most “Illustrious” club in the world but he did hint at a move to England after calling the Premier League the best league in the world.

“Barcelona and Real Madrid have the most illustrious names in world football, but that does not necessarily mean that I want to join them now or that I don’t want to stay at Schalke or head into a different direction first,” Draxler said.

“The most attractive football right now is being played in Spain, while England, for me, has the best league in the world.”

So Draxler has praised Madrid and Barcelona, and refused to rule out a move to Bayern, but there was no mention of Arsenal. Should we be concerned by this?

Probably not. We’d be naive to think he wouldn’t be keen on joining what are arguably the three best teams in Europe right now. Also, he was only answering questions from reporters. If one had asked about Arsenal, I’m sure he’d have said kind words about us like he has in the past.

Draxler will be well aware of our interest by now and I think it’s clear we’ll go back in for him at the end of the season. I just hope the ‘big three’ don’t come sniffing around too much as it would be very difficult to compete.

Do you think we’ll miss out on Draxler this summer?