Arsenal transfer news: Julian Draxler '100 per cent to stay' as Arsene Wenger suffers yet more frustration
Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, had reportedly hoped to submit an audacious £55m bid for the Germany international
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Wolfsburg’s sporting director has insisted Julian Draxler will not be leaving the Bundesliga club this summer, delivering yet another blow to Arsenal’s transfer plans.
Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, had reportedly hoped to submit an audacious £55m bid for the Germany international after it was suggested Die Wölfe would be prepared to do business, but the Frenchman has been informed he must look elsewhere.
This week The Independent revealed that Olivier Giroud, along with defender Laurent Koscielny, is to be handed an extended rest following Euro 2016, meaning the France striker will be lacking in first-team fitness ahead of the new campaign.
Draxler is under contract at the Volkswagen Arena until 2020 and now appears likely to at least stay for another season after director Klaus Allofs issued a stern hands-off warning on Thursday evening.
“The situation with Draxler is 100 per cent certain that he will be staying at Wolfsburg,” he told Germany broadcaster Sport1. “There is no discussing that.”
Wenger is facing a headache in the coming weeks and may be forced to start Chuba Akpom up front for the opening matches of the upcoming Premier League season as Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck continue their returns from injury.
Arsenal face Liverpool on the opening weekend before a trip to face champions Leicester City, who persuaded Jamie Vardy to turn down a £20m move to the Emirates last month, on 20 August.
Draxler is currently on holiday after his Euro 2016 commitments with Germany came to an end following their semi-final defeat to hosts France.
The winger scored his first international goal for the national side in his country’s 3-0 victory over Slovakia and impressed with his expansive wing-play for the world champions.
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