Liverpool and Arsenal's £38m-Rated Midfield Target Confirms Release Clause

Julian Draxler has confirmed that he has a release clause in his contract but clarifies that the clause kicks in after the end of the season.

Arsenal and Liverpool were interested in his services with both Arsene Wenger and Brendan Rodgers keeping a close eye on his progress. Rodgers had reportedly flown all the way to Germany to scout the player and is planning an audacious bid in the summer. The player is reported to have a release clause in the range of £38m and was linked with a move to the Premier League in January. However, Schalke, who have qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League have made it clear that they have no intentions of selling him.

Arsenal were in for the German playmaker last summer before swooping in for Mesut Ozil and Wenger, with funds available to him, is likely to revive his interest in the player. However, Rodgers is also on the lookout for a big money signing given that Luis Suarez's future at Liverpool is hanging on their chances of finishing in the top four. The Reds are currently second in the league and have tough games against Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester City away from home which will determine their quality to last the distance.

"Schalke have no intention to sell me and my exit clause only takes effect in the summer," Draxler said in an interview.

Meanwhile, the 20-year-old has not been shy about his admiration of the Gunners and revealed that they play his style of football, something which may entice him to join them.

"I've said every summer I have to look what is the best for me and I will do in the summer again and we will see what happens. I have always said English teams are very big clubs and Arsenal is of course one of them. Of course I sometimes speak to Mesut or Per about the team, about the club, and they always have good words and they tell me nice things. You never know what happens in the summer but Arsenal is a very, very nice team. They always have very young players, they play attractive football and that's what I like," he had said.