Julian Draxler Reportedly a Major January Transfer Target for Chelsea

Jose Mourinho already has an abundance of attacking talent to sit behind a striker, but that won’t stop him trying to add another, according to Gary Jones of the Daily Star.

Julian Draxler, the highly rated 20-year-old talent at Schalke, has grabbed the attention of Mourinho, who is readying a bid in the region of £25 million.

Jones provides the details:

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Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho wants the club to make a big bid for Schalke star Julian Draxler in January.

That's according to reports in Germany that claim Mourinho wants to make an offer worth around £25 million when the winter window opens.

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Mourinho is likely to be met with firm resistance from Schalke, who currently top Champions Group E—a group that features Chelsea. The teams face a double-header against each other over the next month.

The Bundesliga outfit will feel confident of reaching the knockout rounds of the competition, having picked up six points from six. Should they do so, they’ll have a strong bargaining tool to keep Draxler at least until the end of the campaign.

Schalke general manager Horst Heldt recently told Kicker-Sportmagazin, via Alex Richards of the Daily Mirror: "Julian Draxler will be at our club this season, that is for sure.

"There will be no fuss regarding him during the January window as he is committed to our club."

Mourinho’s desire to sign Draxler is understandable, despite Chelsea’s already swollen ranks in the player’s position.

The youngster has scored in both Schalke’s Champions League games this season, netting the winner at Basel to send his team top of the group.

He is yet to get off the mark in league competition this term, but scored 13 goals in 39 outings last season, per ESPNFC. An additional five assists ensured he had a hand in a goal nearly every other game for Schalke.

Crucially, he has the physical prowess for which Mourinho is looking. The Portuguese’s high-profile axing of Juan Mata earlier in the campaign highlighted the Chelsea boss’ desire for athleticism and tactical discipline—qualities Draxler possesses.

Standing at 6’2”, Draxler displays certain characteristics once held by former Chelsea man Michael Ballack, who also boasted a knack for scoring important goals, as well as a dangerous strike from distance.

Mourinho brought Ballack to Chelsea in 2006, and now it appears he will test Schalke’s resolve over Draxler, although the German’s arrival would potentially force Oscar out of his central position at Stamford Bridge.