Report: Arsenal want Schalke 04 midfielder Julian Draxler

Julian Draxler is a £35m target for Arsenal because Arsene Wenger believes that he can turn the German international into an attacker, a report says.

Draxler has been linked with a move to Manchester United, but Arsenal have contacted Schalke to ask about completing a deal during the transfer window.

The Mirror claims that if the Gunners got their man, Wenger would consider playing him in a front two alongside Olivier Giroud.

It is believed that Draxler has a buy-out clause in his contract of around £35m, and Arsenal are ready to push ahead with negotiations this month.

In November, Draxler revealed that he was happy to stay in the Bundesliga. His contract runs until June 2018.