Julian Draxler
Julian Draxler is enjoying his second season as a regular in the Schalke team. Reuters

Arsenal have been named as one of several clubs pursuing highly rated Schalke midfielder Julian Draxler. The Bundesliga side’s general manager Horst Heldt has admitted that there have been inquiries for the 19-year-old, with German publication Bild claiming that Arsenal, Manchester United Manchester City, Chelsea and the two Milan giants are all trailing the player. Real Madrid are believed to have already expressed their interest in Draxler.

“There have long been reports of interest from international clubs,” Heldt said, according to Bild. “And now we have also had inquiries for Draxler.

“But this is not an issue for us. A sale is not up for discussion.”

Draxler’s agent Roger Wittman, however, refused to rule out a move this summer.

Arsenal have been strongly linked with Draxler’s fellow-Germany international Mario Gotze, but the Schalke man is likely to be easier to attain, given his club’s struggles in the league this season.

Also on the agenda for Arsenal this summer is reported to be a new right-back. Bacary Sagna has been offered a one-year contract extension but, seeking a longer deal, has yet to agree terms.

Manager Arsene Wenger is said to be weighing up replacements, with Metro again naming Feyenoord’s Daryl Janmaat as one of the targets. It is claimed that Arsenal have scouted the 23-year-old several times.

Janmaat is in his first season at the Rotterdam club and made his debut for the Netherlands in their recent friendly with Italy.

The former Heerenveen man said that he would consider his options at the end of the campaign.

“Arsenal’s interest in me? I’m only thinking about Feyenoord right now,” Janmaat told Voetbal International.

“Much remains to be played this season before thinking about the transfer market at the end of the season.”

As well as Janmaat, Arsenal are also believed to be making checks on Sochaux right-back Sebastien Corchia. The 22-year-old has represented France at youth levels and is the subject of interest from some of Europe’s top clubs, with the Gunners, Tottenham and Bayern Munich leading the chase for his signature, according to Sky Sports.

And Corchia has said that he is eager to move to a bigger club for next season.

"I am happy when I am being mentioned with prestigious Clubs home and abroad," he said, according to Sky Sports.

"I am working hard to reach the top level and play in a bigger club than Sochaux, it is everyone's ambition to move to a big club.

"I am a big fan of the two leagues England and Germany, they are the best two leagues at the moment.

"At the end of the season, I will sit down with the club and see the next step."

There has also been a report that Arsenal are interested in Al Ain midfielder Omar Abdulrahman. The 21-year-old rose to prominence at last year’s London Olympics where he was the key figure in an impressive United Arab Emirate side. Abdulrahman has subsequently been voted as the best player in January’s Gulf Cup.

There has been talk of a move to Europe for some time, with the player having previously been close to joining Espanyol and also having had a trial at Manchester City last year.

The Daily Mail now claims that Arsenal are also keeping tabs on the playmaker. There could be serious competition for his signature, however, with Barcelona, Malaga, Borussia Dortmund, Schalke and Hamburg also named as interested parties.

Germany