PSG Transfer News: Julian Draxler on Mesut Ozil Links, Mahamadou Dembele Rumours

Paris Saint-Germain winger Julian Draxler has encouraged "friend" Mesut Ozil to join him in France as the midfielder's Arsenal future hangs in the balance. Elsewhere, Liverpool are reportedly stepping up their interest in Mahamadou Dembele.

Speaking to French broadcaster SFR Sport (h/t ESPN FC's Jonathan Johnson), German Draxler lauded the talents of compatriot Ozil and spoke of his diminishing contract as a key factor in the matter:

"

Yeah, I would like to see my friend here, Mesut Ozil, because his Arsenal contract is nearly over. I think he has one more year. I think he is a great player and I enjoy playing with him in the national team and I would love to play with him at PSG.

Yeah, we speak in a way like friends are talking and I say to him 'come to PSG.' He is laughing and he said to me last summer 'come to Arsenal.' It is just like this.

I do not know what he is planning, what his plans are but as I said, I would love to see him here because he is a great player and an even greater guy.

"

The former seems the much more likely of the two options Draxler addressed considering he only moved to the Parc des Princes in January and has already won the Coupe de la Ligue with his new outfit.

The Arsenal man, on the other hand, is in a contract stand-off with the Gunners and recently explained negotiations have been delayed until the end of this season.

Per Jeremy Wilson of the Irish Independent, Ozil said: "At this stage I'm not important. What's important is the club. We've still got a lot to aim for this season, to try to finish in the top four and [win] the FA Cup. It would be wrong to think about anything other than the football, and then we can talk again at the end of the season."

It also helps Draxler's wish to team up with his countryman that PSG likely have the funds to land Ozil, who is still among the Premier League's top assist-makers despite seeing his form gradually fall this term, per the Telegraph:

As Draxler detailed, Ozil will enter the last year of his Arsenal contract this summer, and the north Londoners risk losing their playmaker at a cut-price rate—or worse yet, for nothing—unless they cash in or agree a new deal.

Despite some fans' suggestions some Arsenal players are no longer committed to manager Arsene Wenger, Ozil also moved to clear up any speculation regarding a lack of loyalty in the dressing room, per Wilson.

"There is no player, especially not me, who will go out and give 90 per cent and not give everything or think, 'We are going to lose today. What is the point? I will hold myself back,'" Ozil said. "That doesn't happen at all. I always give 100 per cent. I always fight for everything."

PSG have a potential departure of their own, however, after French daily L'Equipe (h/t Metro's Tom Olver) reported Dembele is a Liverpool target. Football writer Jack Sear, citing L'Equipe, recently reported the two parties have been in contact: 

Between Borussia Dortmund star Ousmane, Tottenham Hotspur anchor Mousa and Celtic ace Moussa, Dembele has become a surname to keep tabs on in European football, and PSG's centre-back is the latest to emerge.

The 18-year-old has yet to sign a professional contract at the Parc des Princes, and although Reds manager Jurgen Klopp is eager to steal in and sign the youngster, PSG are said to be willing to do "everything possible to fend off the likes of Liverpool this summer."