Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Julian Draxler and Jesse Lingard

Arsenal have reportedly received a boost in their pursuit of Wolfsburg outcast Julian Draxler and are understood to be preparing a £30 million January bid for the winger. Meanwhile, manager Arsene Wenger is said to be hunting a deal for Manchester United's Jesse Lingard.

The Sunday Express (h/t Metro) reported the Gunners are readying their £30 million splurge after Wolves manager Valerien Ismael omitted the player from the squad that lost 5-0 at Bayern Munich on Saturday.

The news came after Draxler once again suggested he's eyeing the Volkswagen Arena exit door, per Metro's report, and it's been posed that the former Schalke starlet "is not expected to feature for the club again."

Arsenal were linked with the Germany international before he opted for a move to Wolfsburg in the summer of 2015, although they're likely to have major competition in the race to land such a high-profile winter signing:

Bayern Munich manager Carlo Ancelotti has also given Wenger an opening after saying his side wouldn't move for Draxler prior to Saturday's clash, per Metro's George Bellshaw: "Draxler is a very interesting player. Full stop. He can play in any team. Our team is complete. We won’t do anything in winter—there’s no market for us."

Those comments take one major force out of the equation and likely mean Draxler will be forced to leave Germany if he moves. Sport Witness detailed this as the opportune moment for Arsenal to make their swoop:

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If Arsenal ever wanted Draxler, now is a very good time to try. #AFC https://t.co/Byx7sAT1gZ pic.twitter.com/rCTcSVYG36

— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) December 5, 2016"

That being said, Arsenal may rethink their strategy. Draxler has failed to record a goal or an assist in 11 Bundesliga appearances this season—a serious step back from the nine goals and eights assists he collected during the 2015-16 campaign.

German football writer Ross Dunbar also described the change in dynamic between 2015 and now. When Draxler moved to Lower Saxony, Wolfsburg were in a position of power, as opposed to sitting two points off the base of the Bundesliga:

Elsewhere, the Sun's Mike McGrath wrote that Arsenal are ready to counter Manchester United's interest in Mesut Ozil with a move for Lingard by offering the England international a double-your-money contract.

Lingard has a little more than 18 months remaining on his deal—identical to Ozil—and the Gunners will offer him £120,000 per week to come to the Emirates Stadium. However, United may not be keen on losing one of their longest-serving academy graduates.

"

#MUTVHD: Pogba, Lingard & Johnstone recall their #FAYC win ahead of Monday's game. Record: https://t.co/8mNt9sQwoP https://t.co/Ginwsamott

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 8, 2016"

Manager Jose Mourinho appears to have taken a shine to the 23-year-old, who has scored three goals in total this season and started in nine of his 13 appearances across all competitions.

However, the offer of a big-money deal in north London could prove tempting unless Lingard's club can match the figure. Former Red Devil Danny Welbeck may also be working to help lure his old team-mate to England's capital.