A familiar name pops up on Bayer's shortlist
Julian Draxler is one of the options to bolster the Leverkusen attack.
Most of the football world is in awe at the summer that Paris Saint Germain have had. A plethora of attacking options that are likely to steamroll a lot of oppositions sit in the PSG camp.
For Julian Draxler (27), however, it could mean moving further down the pecking order with the arrival of Messi, something that could be extremely harmful to his chances of retaining his position in the German national team. Bayer Leverkusen have their eyes on the player if he fancies a move, according to Kicker.
If this does not make the readers feel Deja vu, let's head back to 2020...
Peak of the corona crisis that struck the football world, with cost cutting and lack of liquid cash. Leverkusen, however, could afford to spend after the key departures of Kevin Volland and Kai Havertz. The departure of Havertz had left a gap in the Bayer attack and Draxler was reported to be a target to fill it. The ex-Schalke and Wolfsburg player was pipped to move back to his homeland after being told that he should find regular football to maintain his national team chances. Those who put their bets on him bidding adieu to Paris fell flat on their face as he surprisingly signed a new three year contract recently, despite the concerns with respect to game time.
Back into the present, and the news that PSG could be looking to offload Draxler...
Kicker states that the offensive player, who scored for PSG in the 4-2 win over Strasbourg at the weekend, could be available for less than €20 million. An offer from a Bundesliga club, albeit lower than PSG's expectations, is reportedly already on the table. The squad managers at Bayer certainly seem to be admirers of Draxler, and he is an even better fit now than he was last season, with new coach Gerardo Seoane preferring his wingers to operate in the half-ten spaces with fullbacks bombing forward, contrary to Bosz's hug the sideline instruction for wingers.
At that asking price, PSG seem to be happy to part ways with Draxler. They also have a friendly relationship with the Bayer management, with Diaby and Bakker moving to the Werkself in the past, and Kehrer being linked with a similar path. How much of a problem Draxler's wage demands or his willingness to move are, still remain a concern.
Update: As reported by Sport1, Draxler does not wish to leave PSG as he looks forward to playing alongside Messi. Bayer Leverkusen are still looking for a winger/forward to replace Bailey, and it will be interesting to see which new faces comes in to replace the Jamaican, who had the most goal involvements for Leverkusen last season.