Everton in ambitious move for Draxler

Lyndon Lloyd | Thursday, 04 August 2016

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Everton have made a surprise approach for young German international star Julian Draxler, according to a report.

The Independent say that Ronald Koeman has earmarked the 22-year-old midfielder as a marquee signing to kickstart his tenure as the Blues' manager.

Even if there is a shred of truth in the report, it would take an about-face from his current club Wolsfburg, a show of faith in the Koeman/Moshiri revolution at Everton on the part of the player and/or a big salary offer in addition to the lure of the English Premier League to bring Draxler to Goodison Park.

The left winger, long considered one of his country's brightest prospects despite struggling for true consistency in the Bundesliga, has made waves at Wolfsburg by agitating for a move this summer, saying that he was given verbal assurances when he signed for them from Schalke 04 that he could leave for a top club when he was ready.

"I have expressed myself clearly to Dieter Hecking that after the Euros I want to leave Wolfsburg,” Draxler is quoted as saying.

“We had a verbal agreement when I joined in August 2015 that I could leave the club if the possibility arose. It was always clear between all parties that I would like to go to a top international club if the chance came.”

That would surely translate as a team in one of Europe's five biggest leagues that could offer him Champions League football — like Everton, Wolfsburg will not be involved in European competition this coming season.

Draxler has been strongly linked with Arsenal this summer but Wolfsburg say that they will not entertain selling him until next year and that his £63m release clause cannot be activated until then.