Arsenal summer plans dealt another blow

While Arsenal’s biggest Premier League rivals have splashed the cash in order to avoid another Leicester fairytale, the Gunners have been told their latest target – Germany’s Julian Draxler – is off-limits.

That’s according to his club Wolfsburg, who insist that Draxler will not be off this summer despite the attentions of Arsenal and Everton.

It will come as a blow to both Arsene Wenger and the 22-year-old himself, who expressed his desire to leave to a top club in Europe in an interview with Bild.

That appears to be off the cards for now however, with Wolfsburg categorical in their insistence that he will not be sold.

(Mehmet Kaman/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

They said: “The Supervisory Committee and the Board of Directors at VfL Wolfsburg Fußball-GmbH feel the need to comment on the interview with Julian Draxler which was published in the ‘BILD’ newspaper, in order to clarify the current situation and dispel any possible resulting rumours.

“VfL Wolfsburg wish to make it absolutely clear that at no time did those responsible at the club make either written nor oral commitments on the transfer of Julian Draxler within the current transfer period, which is due to end on August 31st, 2016.

“This is reiterated by a contractual release clause agreed upon with Julian Draxler and his management, which does not come into effect until summer 2017.

“VfL Wolfsburg will not be selling Julian Draxler during the course of the current transfer period.

“In joint discussions with Julian Draxler, VfL Wolfsburg again made it clear that they would not be granting the player’s wish to make a move.

“We now consider any possible uncertainties to have been eradicated and that all parties can revert back to a professional and responsible collaboration for the good of VfL Wolfsburg and, in particular, for our fans.”