Tottenham have been reported in the Mirror to be keen not to indirectly help local rivals Arsenal in their transfer dealings. Currently the only thing standing in the way of a transfer move for the talented Julian Draxler other than an injury is his replacement that Schalke want from Spurs in the form of Lewis Holtby. If Draxler cannot be replaced then the deal will struggle to progress.
According to the report Daniel Levy is unhappy that he inadvertently helped Arsenal become title challengers by selling Bale to Madrid which triggered the Mesut Ozil sale to Arsenal. Spurs tried in vain to delay the sale of Bale realising that the sale would release Ozil to join the Gunners for £42.5m.
Since the sale of Bale, White Hart Lane has been unsettled with the sacking of Villas-Boas and £100m of players who have struggled to settle and assert themselves. In contrast Arsenal are leading the Premier League which is in no small part down to the arrival of Ozil.
Schalke are said to want their former player Holtby back on loan and have admitted that they could not stand in the way if Draxler’s £37million release clause was triggered. As reported by ESPN this clause can only be triggered in the Summer and his current contract is for a further four-and-a-half years.
“We are still hopeful Julian (Draxler) is to stay on at our club. However, there are certain arrangements we cannot change.” Said Horst Heldt, General Manager.
The 20-year-old Draxler is an attacking midfield talent who also plays for the German national team. Draxler has established himself as a key part of the Schalke team making 89 Bundesliga appearances and 10 Germany caps. Julian Draxler is expected to feature for Germany at the forthcoming World Cup in Brazil
Schalke have yet to receive an official offer for the Arsenal target however says Horst Heldt:
"There are no offers from not a single club," Heldt told Sky.
Late last week, Heldt admitted that the club would be powerless to stop their exciting youth product leaving at the end of the season.
"We still hope that Julian stays, but there are elements we can't influence," he said.
Source: DSG
