According to reports from talkSPORT this morning, Juventus have entered the race to sign Schalke prodigy Julian Draxler.
The 21 year-old exploded onto the scene during the 2012/13 campaign to net 13 times in 39 appearances across all competitions – including ten strikes in the Bundesliga.
He’s struggled to rekindle that scoring form since and spent the majority of last season sidelined through injury -managing just eight league starts – but is still widely regarded as one of European football’s most exciting prospects.
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Regardless, reports earlier this week revealed Schalke are looking to cash in on the German international, who made an appearance from the bench during Die Mannschaft’s 7-1 thumping of tournament hosts Brazil at last summer’s World Cup, as they seek to revitalise a squad that failed to qualify for the Champions League last season.
Premier League trio Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United are all long-term admirers of the 6 foot 2 attacker, with the Gunners particularly proactive in tracking him during the last four transfer windows.
But according to talkSPORT, their sustained interest is now rivaled by Serie A champions Juventus. The Turin outfit have already sold Carlos Tevez and Andrea Pirlo this summer – whilst Paul Pogba and Arturo Vidal could also head out the exit door – and believe Draxler can fill the void of top class quality they leave behind.
Currently, however, no source has been able to produce a figure of what Schalke are likely to sell for.