Arsenal: Julian Draxler, Alexis Sanchez swap solves two stresses at once

Arsenal has been tied to Julian Draxler for years, but no time seems to make more sense to make a move than right this instant, which doesn’t look impossible.

Arsenal’s transfer window has gone in a pretty frustrating fashion since the beginning of July when they got out of the boxes incredibly quickly. They have been trying to lock down one specific type of player and it’s clear why – they need someone to replace Alexis Sanchez when he leaves (good riddance).

Thomas Lemar has gone nowhere, Emil Forsberg was long ago pulled off the table and no one else is up to snuff.

However, one name that has been overlooked up until now is Julian Draxler. The German creator had a solid first year at PSG, but with the Parisian’s landing Neymar in the biggest deal ever, it’s Draxler who is going to lose out, as we have already seen with him not even making the first team against Guingamp.

PSG have also been fervently chasing Kylian Mbappe and with Alexis Sanchez also making numerous (and recent) appearances in Paris, it’s clear they are on the hunt for more help in the attack. An attack that Draxler no doubt thought he was a part of.

But now that things are different, Arsenal can swoop. I have often dismissed the idea of Draxler coming to the Emirates simply because I didn’t see how his skill set would work as a winger, even though that is what he has traditionally done, but that worry is now removed.

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With the 3-4-2-1 formation, having two creative minds behind that sole striker is the whole purpose. Mesut Ozil on one side and Draxler on the other couldn’t be much better, as the two already have a solid relationship from international play, so transferring that over to the club level would be no problem.

According to some rumors out there, PSG are looking for £60m to free the German, who is looking in need of saving. That is a perfectly reasonable fee, especially for someone locked in until 2021, who is just 23 years old.

Not just that, but if Alexis is going to leave anyway, why not just make this one of those rarely-seen-yet-always-rumored swap deals? Trade Alexis straight up for Draxler and we take care of two stresses in one fell swoop. We have that creative player we’ve been pursuing all summer and we don’t have to worry about the impending departure of Alexis.

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Then, next summer, we can rejoin the Lemar and Forsberg talks and load up on some quality attackers for the long haul.

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