Arsenal scrambling to complete Julian Draxler transfer — and won't sell Alexis Sanchez to Manchester City without itGunners hope landing PSG's Germany international would stop a fan backlash if they do cash in on £70m-rated top scorer
BYJOHN CROSS
22:30, 30 AUG 2017
Arsenal are attempting to seal a last-minute swoop for Julian Draxler — or they will block Alexis Sanchez’s move to Manchester City.The Gunners face a deadline day battle with the big-spending Mancunians over Sanchez, with Blues boss Pep Guardiola ready to make a last-gasp offer in excess of £60million.
Arsenal want £70m for their Chile striker, who is in the last year of his contract, and know they cannot sell him unless they bring in a big signing for fear of a fan backlash.Boss Arsene Wenger is looking again at Paris Saint-Germain forward Draxler , after also making another enquiry about Monaco’s Thomas Lemar .
Leicester’s wantaway winger Riyad Mahrez is another back-up option.
Draxler has been a long-standing target for Arsenal, who have made several previous attempts to get him.
PSG could be ready to sell on Thursday to help them balance their books as they close in on Monaco wonderkid Kylian Mbappe having already splurged a world-record £199m on Barcelona forward Neymar in this window.
Arsenal have already had two bids turned down for Lemar, who is on Barca’s radar, so that looks less possible.
The Gunners are dreading the prospect of losing Sanchez to a Premier League rival and have now communicated to City their ground rules.
Their determination to have a replacement for Sanchez explains why Raheem Sterling was put into the mix on Tuesday as a potential part of a swap deal.
Sanchez has made it clear he wants to leave without actually putting in an official transfer request and City are confident of getting a deal for him done.
The 28-year-old is currently back home on international duty, with Chile playing Paraguay in Santiago on Thursday night.
City have put officials on standby in South America to try to broker a last-minute move and oversee a medical.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have ended their interest in West Brom defender Jonny Evans as Shkodran Mustafi now appears to be staying because Inter Milan could not agree a deal.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/arsenal-scrambling-complete-julian-draxler-11083832
