Julian Draxler and Kaka are Arsene Wenger's latest targets as Arsenal step up efforts to sign new players
Arsenal are targeting at least two major signings in a frantic final 72 hours of the transfer window, with Schalke’s Julian Draxler and Real Madrid forward Kaka having joined their list of targets.
Draxler, a 19-year-old Germany international midfielder, would be the priority but Schalke are reluctant sellers and would only consider an offer in excess of £40 million.
Having been developed by Schalke since the age of eight, Draxler became the second youngest player ever in the Bundesliga when he made his debut in 2011 and finished last season with 10 goals from midfield. He also won his first cap for the Germany national team and has been identified by Wenger as one of the best young attacking midfield talents in Europe.
Kaka, the former world footballer of the year, seems less likely to joinArsenal. But Real want to make player sales after completing the £86 million world-record signing of Gareth Bale and Arsenal are said to be keen to make bids for Karim Benzema, Mesut Özil and Ángel di María. All three players, however, would have reservations about leaving Real and it could be that Kaka is the more attainable option.
The deals all hinge on other moves going ahead and Arsenal will be in touch with a variety of clubs over the weekend as they seek to strengthen a squad that has been severely weakened both by injury and high-profile departures in the past two summers.
As well as a striker, Wenger would like to add another one or two midfielders. The addition of Mathieu Flamini has left him satisfied that he now has sufficient defensive cover, particularly as Bacary Sagna can operate at centre-back or right-back.