Arsenal is reportedly lining up a bid to sign German forward Julian Draxler from Wolfsburg.
Draxler, 22, has been a long-term target for the Gunners since his days at Schalke and despite Die Mannschaft crashing out of EURO 2016 at the semifinal stage on Thursday, he played a key role for Joachim Low’s side this summer.
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Able to play either out wide or through the center, Draxler has a great connection with Mesut Ozil and the duo could wreck havoc together at Arsenal.
The Sun reports that Arsene Wenger is chasing Draxler but Wolfsburg is asking for over $55.6 million for the attacker.
That would make him the most expensive signing in club history ahead of Ozil, new signing Granit Xhaka and Alexis Sanchez.
Judging in his performances this summer -- he had a goal and assist at EURO 2016 while consistently looking like Germany’s most dangerous threat in the final third -- his form for Wolfsburg last season and his age, that’s actually not a bad price for one of the best attacking talents in the Bundesliga.
Graziano Pelle appears to be closing in on a move to the Chinese Super League.
Pelle, 30, only has one year left on his contract at Southampton but the Italian international striker is highly unlikely so sign a new deal with Saints.
It has been widely reported on Friday that Pelle, who turns 31 next week, will sign for Shandong Luneng and earn over $160,000 per week. It is believed Southampton will receive $16.8 million from the CSL club, which is actually a profit of over $7 million from when they signed him in 2014 from Feyenoord. Pelle has had two stellar seasons at Saints, scoring 30 goals in 81 games in all competitions.
However, he did lose his place in the team at the second half of last season and with Charlie Austin and Jay Rodriguez back to full fitness, plus Shane Long impressing, Saints have plenty of options up top. Pelle’s performances and goals against Spain and Belgium for Italy during EURO 2016 enhanced his reputation and the towering forward now looks set to be rewarded financially in the final years of his career.
Sky Sports claim that Neven Subotic, 27, has flown into England for talks with newly-promoted Premier League side Middlesbrough.
Subotic would cost $11 million from Borussia Dortmund and the Serbian international center back is also gaining interest from Sunderland and Stoke City according to multiple reports.
Following an injury hit last three campaigns, in late June Subotic revealed he plans to move on from Dortmund as manager Thomas Tuchel builds a new-look defense following the departure of Mats Hummels to Bayern Munich earlier this summer. Subotic and Hummels were key in Jurgen Klopp’s title-winning teams and they also played in the 2012-13 UEFA Champions League final together.
Subotic’s name will be familiar to many fans of U.S. soccer as he previously lived in both Utah and Florida, while also became part of the U.S. Soccer residency program in Florida after his family relocated from Serbia during the war-torn years. The USMNT tried to get Subotic to play for them but he instead opted to play for Serbia.
A towering central defender, he will certainly be a star for ‘Boro in the PL next season if he does end up at the Riverside Stadium.