Arsenal target, Julian Draxler is on the verge of completing a move to Juventus after the Schalke attacker agreed a move to the Serie A club.
This is as per Goal who claims Draxler has accepted an offer of €3.7million-a-year, plus bonuses, and the club must now thrash out a deal. Schalke must now reach an agreement with last year’s Champions League finalist in order to sign the attacking midfielder.
The same report has it that the player’s contract at the Veltins Arena expires in 2018, and before June 30 this year, his release clause was put at €45m. Juventus want to pay €25, while the BuLi club are expecting a fee of around €35m.
Draxler’s agent Roger Wittman told Goal: “For me, an agreement is when three parties are good. Now we are at a stage where only Schalke and Juventus have to talk and, after that, we will see what happens.”
Reports had said negotiations between the Serie A champions and the World Cup winner has hit a snag, with Draxler featuring for Schalke against Lechia Gdansk in a friendly game despite opening talks already.
Juventus boss Massimilliano Allegri is eager to bring in another midfielder following the departures of Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal, and the 21-year old has emerged as his ideal candidate. The likes of Paolo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic, Sami Khedira, Neto and Simone Zaza have all arrived at the club as the Bianconeris hope to build on last season’s impressive form.
Draxler – who was part of Joachim Low’s World Cup-winning squad in Brazil in 2014 – has won the DFB-Pokal and the German Super Cup during his four-year spell at Schalke.
Many will be surprised as to why Arsenal did not move to sign him considering his reported £24m fee which the Gunners can afford. However, the London club’s loss seem to now be Juventus’ gain.
Draxler’s versatility ensures he can operate in a number of roles in the forward line. He can play as a centre forward in a 4-5-1 formation and his hold-up prowess would have benefited Arsenal.