Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Rumours, Fresh Players Linked with Gunners Move

Julian Draxler's agent has confirmed the player will "definitely leave Wolfsburg" in the summer, news Arsenal may find interesting, as the Gunners remain linked with the quality Germany international.

Draxler's agent Fabio Parisi told Italian publication Tuttosport (h/t David Wright of the Sunday Express) how his client, a target for Juventus, will be on the move next summer. In fact, Parisi revealed a previous bid from Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain, while also talking up Juve's interest. Draxler has even met with Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri:

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Max Allegri had spoken to Draxler, they were in sync and there was an immediate rapport between them.

Wolfsburg have strong owners, but unfortunately for the German fans, everyone wants to leave there. Over the summer Draxler was on the verge of joining Paris Saint-Germain, who had offered nearly €65m (£59m).

He will definitely leave Wolfsburg at the end of the season. He would’ve gladly run to join Juve and is the ideal trequartista for Allegri.

"

Juve's interest sounds strong, but the Gunners have a lengthy history of links with Draxler. One of the most recent came back in July, when ESPN (h/t Samuel Lovett of The Independent) reported Arsenal had bid £43 million for the Bundesliga star.

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Yet this was far from the first time the north London club had expressed a willingness to purchase Draxler. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was even said to be close to a deal worth £30 million for the then-Schalke 04 sensation back in January 2014, according to John Cross of the Daily Mirror.

Cross had reported earlier in the year how Wenger wanted to turn Draxler into a centre-forward, the way he once did with Dutchman Robin van Persie. The latter had arrived from Feyenoord in 2004 as a right-winger, but Wenger eventually shaped the gifted prospect into the perfect mix of a No. 9 and No. 10, a deadly penalty-box finisher with the creative instincts to also supply goals.

Draxler has all the attributes to enjoy the same transition. He's tall, quick, skilful and boasts a fierce shot. The 23-year-old also possesses keen technical ability, including a stylish range of passing.

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Wenger has been searching for an attacker boasting all those qualities to lead his forward line for some time. His current attempts to find one are seeing wide forward Alexis Sanchez moved through the middle, a switch not always running smoothly, despite Sanchez scoring five times already this season, per WhoScored.com.

Yet Arsenal may need a replacement for Sanchez sooner than they think. The Chilean is contracted until 2018, and the Gunners are anxious for him to sign an extension. However, Sanchez reportedly wants £250,000 per week, according to Matt Hughes of the Sunday Times.

Still young, and with as much natural talent as any forward in the game, Draxler would be the perfect project for Wenger to develop into the focal point of his free-flowing side.

Wenger Keen on Young French Defender

Wenger may need to eventually refresh things up front, but he's already looking for a new star in defence, according to reports from Italy. The prospect in question is 17-year-old Nice academy graduate Malang Sarr.

Italian publication Tuttomercatoweb (Metro's Lee Thomas-Mason) has reported the Gunners and Serie A outfit AC Milan are keen on Sarr. But it's Wenger making the most concrete moves, having already sent a scout to watch the French youngster.

It says a lot that a player who only made his first-team debut earlier this season is already courting such strong interest. Yet Sarr has earned rave reviews from the start.

UEFA's official site praised both his versatility and athleticism after Sarr netted the winner against Rennes in Ligue 1 back in August: "Sarr lined up at left centre-back on Sunday, although he can play any defensive position. He is strong in the air, as Rennes found to their cost."

Such flexibility should appeal to Wenger, who needs to improve Arsenal's defensive depth. Centre-back Per Mertesacker is now 32, while Brazilian Gabriel has struggled to settle in the Premier League. Meanwhile, 21-year-old Englishman Calum Chambers has been loaned out to Middlesbrough.

As for the full-backs, both Kieran Gibbs and Carl Jenkinson have been frozen out since Nacho Monreal and Hector Bellerin took over the starting berths. At least former Bolton Wanderers youngster Rob Holding has impressed since signing in the summer.

Wenger's record recruiting the best talents from France was once exemplary. He may have slowed somewhat since the days of landing Patrick Vieira, Emmanuel Petit and Robert Pires, but the manager's recent record signing defenders from France has been excellent.

Both full-back Bacary Sagna and centre-back Laurent Koscielny proved shrewd buys. Sarr could be next in line if Gunners scouts tell Wenger he should step up his interest.

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The latest links suggest Wenger, a manager whose contract expires at the end of this season, is still committed to building a young side and safeguarding Arsenal's future.