Top 5 Bundesliga Transfer Alternatives to Schalke's Julian Draxler
For European clubs chasing the signature of Schalke left attacking midfielder Julian Draxler, here are five alternatives to him in the Bundesliga.
Draxler has implied he could follow Manuel Neuer's lead and join Bayern Munich.
"Look at what happened with Manuel Neuer," Draxler said, per Derwesten.de (h/t Sky Sports). "He was 100 percent convinced that he would never join FC Bayern."
5. Ibrahima Traore (Stuttgart)
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Inconsistency has plagued Ibrahima Traore and hindered him from fulfilling his potential.
Last season, he scored three times and created four goals in a 10-game run but ended the league season by going goalless in 10 straight games.
Traore can accelerate past opposing defenders with ease, he is tricky and has the tools needed to be a top player.
He could be headed for an exit in the summer transfer window as 16 of his 19 Bundesliga games have been sub-affected.
4. Hakan Calhanoglu (Hamburg)
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Hamburg's Hakan Calhanoglu is putting his name out there with incredible goals.
Ask Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller, who flapped helplessly at a viciously dipping knuckle-ball free-kick from Calhanoglu, who was just inside his attacking half.
It is not the first time he has pulled off something spectacular like that, either. He scored a long-range free-kick against Wolfsburg, too.
Calhanoglu has scored six goals in the Bundesliga this season, which is remarkable when you consider he was playing third division football a year ago for Karlsruher.
3. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (Mainz)
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Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting has been an outstanding super-sub for Mainz, scoring five times off the bench.
Despite only starting 38.1 percent of Bundesliga games this season, Choupo-Moting averages 3.7 dribbles per game, which is higher than Bayer Leverkusen's Sidney Sam (3.4) and Bayern Munich's Mario Gotze (3.2).
Choupo-Moting is a tall, quick and skillful winger, who can trouble opposing full-backs.
2. Heung Min Son (Bayer Leverkusen)
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Bayer Leverkusen's Heung Min Son has formed a strong connection with Stefan Kiessling and Sidney Sam.
The Son-Kiessling-Sam triumvirate has scored a combined 26 goals and created 12 assists in the Bundesliga this season.
However, Sam will be a Schalke player next season.
Will it affect Son's productivity? If anything, it might increase his offensive output, as he will be given more responsibilities to win games.
Son is two-footed, he can outpace opposing defenders and he is lethal on the counter-attack.
1. Timo Werner (Stuttgart)
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Stuttgart's Timo Werner is a 17-year-old left attacking midfielder, who has started up front and has world-class potential.
He has already scored four goals and registered four assists this season.
He is an exciting prospect for Stuttgart and could be a legitimate alternative to Julian Draxler.
Statistics via WhoScored
