Reported transfer target Julian Draxler has previously admitted turning down Arsenal

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Arsenal’s latest links (Foot Mercato) to Julian Draxler will have plenty of Gunners fans shaking their head in bemusement. The German has been linked with a move to Arsenal for seven years, with Arsene Wenger first linked with the player during the summer of 2013. 

Of course, much of that has always been speculation over the years. When Draxler moved to PSG, Arsenal ‘missed out’. After his shock switch to Wolfsburg, the Gunners had ‘failed’ in their transfer pursuit.

Conjecture, rumour, nothing concrete. 

But Draxler 100 percent did turn down Arsene Wenger and Arsenal in the winter of 2014. 

In January 2014, as reported by The Guardian, Arsenal were in talks to secure a deal for Draxler. He had a £37 million release clause in his contract in Gelsenkirchen and Arsenal sent transfer chief Dick Law to Germany to try and put a deal together. 

However, Draxler was not keen. He later confirmed, as reported by the BBC, that he rejected Arsenal in the summer of 2014. 

“In January, there was the offer of Arsenal, but I decided to stay.

“I will do the same this summer. I want to play one year more in Schalke.”

Draxler’s comments came from Salvador in Brazil. The then 20-year-old midfielder was one of the surprise inclusions in Joachim Low’s squad for the 2014 World Cup. He ended up playing the final 15 minutes of Germany’s epic 7-1 semi-final demolition of Brazil and collected a winner’s medal that July. 

Leaving Schalke in January of that year would have been a big call for Draxler and may have jeopardized his dreams of heading to the World Cup with his nation. 

It made complete sense. Now, in a twisted sense of irony, another major tournament could help Arsenal finally sign Draxler. 

The European Championships have been moved to next summer and Draxler’s place in the Germany squad is far from assured amid his struggles for first-team football in the French capital. 

Moving this summer could be the impetus he needs to lock down a place in Die Mannschaft for next year.