Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Julian Draxler and Mesut Ozil

Signing VfL Wolfsburg's Julian Draxler could reportedly be key in Arsenal persuading Mesut Ozil to commit to a new contract.

According to RMC Sport (via Jack de Menezes in The Independent), Gunners playmaker Ozil has asked his team to sign fellow German Draxler.

The word is that should Arsenal succeed in snapping up the winger, it would help convince Ozil to pen a new deal, with his contract set to expire in 2018 and extension talks still ongoing.

Draxler, 23, looks likely to depart Wolfsburg in January, as he has fallen out with the Bundesliga club, who would accept a bid of around £30 million, per Sport Buzzer (via Richard Forrester in The Sun).

He has long been tipped as one of the superstars of the future and could be a bargain buy for Arsenal should he make good on his potential.

Given that Alexis Sanchez has moved into a No. 9 role this season, Draxler could be deployed on the left flank at Arsenal and form a formidable front four with the Chilean, Ozil and Theo Walcott.

Arsenal have been linked with Draxler for some time—this Telegraph report discussed the German's link to the club in July last year—and now seems the perfect opportunity to snap him up.

Julian Finney/Getty Images

If signing him would persuade Ozil to extend his contract, then a move would make even more sense.

Talks with the Germany international have been ongoing for a while and are at an impasse because of Ozil's £290,000-per-week wage demands, according to James Olley in the Evening Standard.

It would be a devastating blow were the Gunners to lose Ozil, but it is the prospect they will face if an agreement cannot be made over a new deal.

Season	Appearances (as a sub)	Minutes	Goals	Assists
2016-17	14(1)	1248	5	2
2015-16	35	3049	6	19
2014-15	21(1)	1860	4	5
2013-14	25(1)	2150	5	9

The 28-year-old is enjoying one of the best spells of his career.

After providing 19 assists in the Premier League last season, Ozil has added more goals to his game in 2016-17, netting nine in all competitions thus far. 

He and Sanchez are the key players for Arsenal if they are to mount a title challenge this season and in the future.

If Draxler is the key to getting Ozil to commit his future to the club, then Arsenal should sign the Wolfsburg player, who could be a huge asset to the club given his talent.

The Gunners may have to move swiftly, though, as Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain are keeping a close eye on Draxler and could make a £25 million offer in January, per RMC Sport (via De Menezes).