Rumour: Arsenal to activate Julian Draxler’s release clause

According to Daily Star, Arsenal are ready to bid for Schalke forward Julian Draxler even after discovering that he has a £40million buy-out clause on his current contract. This means Arsenal are about to splash £40million  on yet another German international.

Arsenal to activate Julian Draxler’s release clause

Julian Draxler has all the required skills like dribbling, ball control, vision and shooting to be an instant success at Emirates just like Mesut Ozil. Draxler was linked with Arsenal during last summer window too, but the move never materialized for some unknown reasons.

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Schalke seal Goretzka signing

Leon Goretzka has completed his move from Bochum to Schalke for an undisclosed fee, having already begun training with the Gelsenkirchen side last week. 

The deal had been held up by a number of formalities, but the 18-year-old midfielder has now signed a five-year deal with die Knappen.

Goretzka had also caught the attention of Borussia Dortmund, but he felt that Schalke were the better option for him.

"I was determined to take the next step in my career and I want to continue developing on a high level," he told the club's official website.

"With this objective in mind, I see Schalke as the right address for me. The conditions are perfect here. The standard in training is higher than at Bochum.

"Schalke are a big club that are always in contention at the top and represented in Europe."

Meanwhile, general manager Horst Heldt was unsurprisingly relieved that the deal had finally gone through.

"We're absolutely delighted that in Leon Goretzka another colossal talent has made a conscious decision in favour of Schalke," he enthused.

"Leon is one of the most talented players in Germany and has huge potential. He was on the wanted list of lots of clubs but he sees the biggest opportunity to develop as a player here with us."

Goretzka, who has represented his country at Under-19 level, already featured for his new side in their pre-season friendly against Villingen last Thursday, notching a debut goal with a curling free-kick as Schalke romped to a 5-0 victory.

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Szalai delight at move

Adam Szalai is overjoyed to join Schalke from Mainz and says he's fully fit after his back injury.

The 25-year-old striker, who was closely followed by Arsenal, has put pen to paper and he is delighted to have finally sealed the move.

"I feel great at Schalke, my new team-mates, the team officials and the fans greeted me kindly," he said.

"In the summer I had enough time to recover from my injury, so there's nothing wrong with my back."

Meanwhile, Schalke general manager Horst Heldt has officially confirmed his club have reached an agreement with second-tier Bochum for Germany

U19 international starlet Leon Goretzka.

The agreement brings to an end the disharmony between both clubs over the summer move for the teenage midfielder.

Heldt told Deutsche Presseagentur: "We've been to Bochum and discussed it with VfL Bochum.

"We attempted to have a fair solution in this affair. All parties have had their mind set on an agreement as we all wanted to prevent Leon Goretzka having a court trial with regard to this."

Heldt also confirmed a new deal for left back Sead Kolasinac.

"Sead played a great season in his first real year in the Bundesliga," said Heldt.

"He improved month on month and even established himself as a first-team regular in the second half of the season. He managed that because he's an ambitious player and has a great mentality which we desperately need here at Schalke."

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