Arsenal Transfer News: Julian Draxler Wants Wolfsburg Exit, Latest Rumours

Arsenal target Julian Draxler has revealed he has informed Wolfsburg of his desire to leave following his involvement with the German national squad at Euro 2016 last month.

Wolfsburg manager Dieter Hecking previously said the club had "decreed" that Draxler will stay put, but the winger says he wants to move to a bigger club, per German outlet Bild (via ESPN FC's Stefan Buczko): "One could have talked to me personally before making public declarations. After the Euro 2016 I clearly said to [Hecking] that I want to leave Wolfsburg. The coach is aware of that for the past three weeks."

Arsenal have long been linked with winger Draxler and were rumoured to be preparing a major bid for the 22-year-old as recently as last month, per John Cross in the Mirror.

Their interest will doubtless have been piqued by Draxler's admission that he wants out of Wolfsburg, especially as he indicated he is eager to make a step up in quality, per Bild (via Buczko): 

"

I am surprised that matters regarding my [future] are being communicated in the media. I expected that to go differently. For example that someone approaches me and asks me for my views instead.

I talked on the phone with coach Hecking. Two days after the semifinal at the Euro I explained my point of view and expressed my wish that I want to leave the club. Now I'm back in Germany and things are being communicated via the media rather than with me in person. Now I also wanted to make myself heard.

When I transferred to Wolfsburg in 2015, we had a verbal agreement that I can leave the club when a possibility emerges. With Dieter Hecking as well as [general manager] Klaus Allofs.

It was obvious that Wolfsburg showed me a good perspective back then, but also served as stepping stone.

"

Draxler only moved to Wolfsburg from Schalke last summer for €35 million (£25.5 million), penning a five-year deal at the Volkswagen Arena.

He starred for them in their impressive UEFA Champions League run in 2015-16, particularly in the quarter-final first leg against eventual champions Real Madrid, per Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe:

However, Wolfsburg did not fare very well in the Bundesliga, finishing eighth, meaning they will not be involved in any European football next season.

For Draxler, that is likely a major concern. Arsenal could offer him the chance to play Champions League football again, and he reportedly would prefer a move to the Emirates Stadium over Juventus, per Sky Germany (via Sky Sports News HQ' Kaveh Solhekol):

Cross' report previously indicated that Wolfsburg would demand £55 million to sell Draxler, a fee Arsenal are unlikely to be prepared to meet.

However, given Draxler's clear eagerness to leave Wolfsburg, a better-value deal could potentially be negotiated.

Arsenal's primary needs at the moment are a top-class striker and an experienced centre-back. 

However, they would be foolish to pass up the opportunity to sign Draxler, who has the potential to be one of the world's best players and is beginning to prove it, as he showed at Euro 2016, per Bundesliga writer Stefan Bienkowski:

He can play as a central striker if necessary but is most comfortable on the left flank, and he netted five goals while providing five assists for Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga last term, per WhoScored.com.

Alongside Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez he could form a devastating attacking line that could propel Arsenal to the Premier League title, but the Gunners will have to be prepared to shell out a significant fee if they are to sign Draxler.