Rumour: Manchester United set to steal Arsenal target Julian Draxler from Schalke

Julian Draxler

Manchester United are plotting an extraordinary swoop on major Arsenal target, Julian Draxler, according to the Daily Star.

Arsenal came close to signing the German star in January but Arsene Wenger reportedly refused to pay the £37 million that third-placed Schalke were demanding for their young sensation.

He was watched at the weekend as he starred in his side’s 2-1 victory over Augsburg to move a step close to overtaking Borussia Dortmund in second place in the Bundesliga.

He made one of Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar’s two match-winning goals. He also had a goal disallowed during their victory.

United boss David Moyes has identified Germany as the place to recruit midfield talent.

In addition to Draxler, United are in pole position to sign Borussia Dortmund’s Ilkay Gundogan who has been out injured since the first game of the season. He set Europe alight last season with a number of fantastic performances in the centre of Dortmund’s midfield and even scored in the Champions League final defeat to Bayern Munich.

Moyes is also an admirer of Gundogan’s team-mate, Marco Reus, and Bayern Munich’s Toni Kroos as he assesses a long list of summer targets.

However, it remains to be seen whether Moyes will still be United boss once the season finishes after a dismal campaign was made worse by their 3-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday.

Draxler has scored just one goal in the Bundesliga this season, despite playing 18 games.