Atletico Madrid have reportedly joined the race to sign Germany international and Wolfsburg winger Julian Draxler according to sources in Germany. The winger had already made it clear that he wanted to leave Germany for a ‘bigger’ European club and had sparked the interest of both Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain.
However, Diego Simeone is the latest to join the race for the player’s signature after persistent rumours about Antoine Griezmann’s move away from the Calderon.
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Things have not gone according to plan for Simeone at Atletico after their stuttering start to the season and with a big money move awaiting Griezmann almost anytime in the next six months, this could only mean that he is in search of a worthy replacement and that is where Draxler fits in perfectly.
The 23-year-old was also dropped from the Wolfsburg side that lost 5-0 against Bayern Munich in their last league game and has reportedly been told that he will never play for the Bundesliga club again.
After just a year at the club, Draxler had asked to leave in the summer when he attracted interest from a numerous European clubs but the club had forced him to stay. However, he now looks set to get the move he desires, with reports in Germany claiming that his Wolfsburg career is effectively over.
Klaus Allofs, Wolfsburg’s sporting director, who denied Draxler’s request to leave in the summer has recently admitted that he may consider selling the player now.
Allofs told Sport1: “We’d evaluate it differently now and maybe give our approval the next time.” Draxler remains unhappy at the club and his agent, Fabio Parisi, said he will definitely leave the club as soon as the opportunity arises. “Wolfsburg have strong owners, but unfortunately for the German fans, everyone wants to leave there. He will definitely leave Wolfsburg soon, I repeat: Draxler will leave.”
Wolfsburg fans have also turned on their star man, with Draxler receiving boos from supporters in recent games for his apparent lack of loyalty to the club. “I don’t think I need to tell anybody what (being booed) does to a person, it certainly doesn’t help you,” the Germany international said. “I can understand the fans though, they have every right to do that. I said in the summer the way I feel and I stand by that.”
Draxler joined Die Wolfe from Schalke for a club record £25.5million in 2015 and it is claimed that Atletico will have to offer at least £30million to sign him up in the coming transfer window.
