Arsenal Handed Fresh Blow in Julian Draxler Pursuit

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will be forced to use his powers of persuasion to tempt Julian Draxler to the Emirates Stadium after Schalke confirmed the German international is not interested in moving to the Premier League.

The 20 year old has been heavily linked with a summer move to the Gunners who are expected to launch a bid for a marquee summer signing to assist in enhancing their domestic and European hopes.

Wenger reportedly sees the same potential in Draxler, who has scored five goals and made six assists in all competitions this season for Schalke, as he did in Robin van Persie – who won the Premier League golden boot during his time at Arsenal.

With only a short-term attacking signing expected to be made in the January transfer window, Wenger is expected to mirror the spending splurge which saw him sign Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid for a club record fee in order to keep the club in contention for silverware.

However, Schalke are unlikely to be receptive to interest in their prized asset and club general manager Horst Heldt has struck a blow to Arsenal's hopes of making Draxler their primary summer target by declaring the midfielder is not interested in leaving the club.

"I am not aware that Julian would like to leave us, neither in the winter nor in summer," Heldt said.

"There is no question of a bid regarding Julian. At the end of it, it's wild speculation, which takes place over there in England. The clubs would have to report to us if they were interested."

Arsenal's German influence could also prove pivotal in persuading Draxler to swap the Bundesliga for English football, with Ozil, Serge Gnabry, Lukas Podolski and Per Mertesacker all in a position to tempt the playmaker to north London.

And Mertesacker has publically stated he would welcome Draxler's arrival.

"He [Draxler] is a great talent," the stand-in Arsenal skipper said. "He has already make a big impact at Schalke and in the German national team, despite his young age.

"He would be very welcome here. I'm excited to see what happens. You hear a lot of rumours this time of year."