Manchester United Transfer News: Julian Draxler Eyed in Jose Mourinho Rumours
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is reportedly eyeing a move for Wolfsburg attacker Julian Draxler as he looks to revive the Old Trafford outfit following his recent appointment.
According to German outlet Bild (via James Robson and James Dixon of the Manchester Evening News), Draxler is on the Portuguese manager's "radar," with the 22-year-old having not fully committed his future to Wolfsburg just yet.
He only moved to the Volkswagen Arena from Schalke 04 last summer for a reported club-record fee of €35 million (£25.5 million), per the Guardian, signing a five‑year deal, thus United would have to spend big to snap him up.
However, the Manchester outfit have proved in the past two summers they have no problem splashing the cash, and Draxler has all of the attributes to be a major Premier League star.
Predominantly a left-winger, Draxler can also play as a No. 10, a genuine centre-forward or on the right flank, and he netted six goals and provided five assists in 24 Bundesliga appearances last term, per WhoScored.com.
He also proved in 2015-16 that he can step up even against the best sides, having terrorised eventual champions Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg between Los Blancos and Wolfsburg:
Draxler can be devastating when running at opposition defences and is also excellent linking up with fellow attackers.
He could be exactly the wide attacking star United have been crying out for, the type of player so often utilised by Sir Alex Ferguson during his long tenure.
His arrival could also spell the end of Memphis Depay's short time at Old Trafford. The Dutch winger arrived last summer to much fanfare after starring in the Eredivisie with PSV Eindhoven, but he disappointed in his debut season, netting only twice in the Premier League, per WhoScored.
Memphis arguably deserves more time to prove himself given he is still only 22, but the Sun's Jim Sheridan reported he "looks set to exit this summer," a process that would surely be accelerated by the arrival of Draxler.
It would be a tricky signing for United to pull off considering Draxler is one of Wolfsburg's main stars and is contracted to the club for another four years.
However, with Wolfsburg having failed to secure any European football next season—United will only be in the UEFA Europa League—Draxler could be tempted by the clear step up in profile a move to Old Trafford would signify.
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