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Wolfsburg's midfielder Julian Draxler is pictured prior to the second-leg round of 16 UEFA Champions league football match between VfL Wolfsburg and KAA Gent at the Volkswagen arena in Wolfsburg on March 8, 2016.   

 / AFP / ODD ANDERSEN        (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images)
Wolfsburg's midfielder Julian Draxler is pictured prior to the second-leg round of 16 UEFA Champions league football match between VfL Wolfsburg and KAA Gent at the Volkswagen arena in Wolfsburg on March 8, 2016. / AFP / ODD ANDERSEN (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images)ODD ANDERSEN/Getty Images

Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Julian Draxler and Guillaume Hubert

James DudkoDec 20, 2016

Arsenal target Julian Draxler is seemingly close to reaching an agreement to sign for Paris Saint-Germain. Reports from France indicate the Wolfsburg player, who has been on the Gunners' radar since 2013, has agreed to terms with PSG, but his club are holding out for the right fee.

The right fee is £33.6 million, according to French source RMC Sport (h/t Metro). Draxler is said to have agreed to move to Paris and is also close to signing official terms, per the reports: "The Germany international is in advanced talks with the French champions and is on the verge of signing a four-and-a-half-year contract with the club."

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However, ESPN FC's Jonathan Johnson has said things aren't settled just yet:

Despite the uncertain nature of the reports regarding Draxler's talks with PSG, the player does appear to be edging away from a move to Arsenal. The Gunners were even credited with planning a bid worth £30 million for the forward in the upcoming January transfer window, per Neil Fissler of the Sunday Express.

It was far from the first time Draxler had been linked with a move to Arsenal's Emirates Stadium. Back in 2013, the then-Schalke 04 star talked up a switch to north London, per Metro's Jamie Sanderson.

In January 2014, the Daily Mirror's John Cross reported the Gunners were ready to double Draxler's wages to help seal a deal.

Cross wrote a separate report indicating Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was keen to convert Draxler from winger to centre-forward, in much the same way he'd done with Robin van Persie.

Arsenal's Dutch striker Robin Van Persie looks on during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at The Emirates Stadium in north London, England on April 21, 2012. AFP PHOTO/ADRIAN DENNIS

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Of course, Wenger has since adapted Alexis Sanchez to playing as a central striker, so he wouldn't need Draxler's quality through the middle. Yet the Germany international would help fix a problem position on the left of Arsenal's front three.

Wenger has tried several options on the left flank this season, but none have been particularly convincing. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is not prolific enough in front of goal, while Alex Iwobi is more of a playmaker from central positions.

The Arsenal boss has also been reticent to deploy summer signing Lucas Perez out wide, so far leaving the former Deportivo La Coruna man on the bench more often than not.

Draxler could have fixed the problem thanks to his pace, trickery and shooting ability. He's deadly whenever he cuts in from the left on to his rocket of a right foot.

Yet it seems Wenger will have to expand his search for a player versatile and skilled enough to complete his forward line.

Standard Liege Goalkeeper Scouted

Arsenal have reportedly been scouting Standard Liege goalkeeper Guillaume Hubert. The Gunners are said to have watched the 22-year-old stopper six times this season, according to Simon Jones of MailOnline.

The player is also drawing interest from fellow Premier League sides Liverpool, Swansea City and Stoke City, per Jones, who also noted Hubert once had a trial with the Potters.

However, the report also stated why Arsenal are the club stepping up its interest in the young 'keeper: "Arsenal are the latest to consider whether he is worth a transfer gamble with Arsene Wenger planning ahead with Petr Cech now 34 and David Ospina considering a move away."

Arsenal's Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech applauds the fans following during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on December 18, 2016.
Manchester City won the ma

Jones also noted how the future of Wojciech Szczesny, currently on loan at AS Roma, is weighing on Wenger's mind. Yet the Frenchman's more pressing concern ought to be the form of incumbent No. 1 Cech.

The 34-year-old hasn't kept a clean sheet in any of his last eight appearances in the Premier League, according to MailOnline's Alex Sharp. Cech may have been let down by some defensive frailties and tactical shortcomings, but there's no doubt the Gunners have the right to expect more from a goalkeeper with his pedigree.

It makes sense for Wenger to be already considering ways of upgrading the situation between the sticks. Arsenal's weakness at the back has cost them in the title race, with Wenger's men nine points behind leaders Chelsea after conceding 19 times though 17 games.

Wenger can't ignore any possible option to fix the problem.

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