Paul Robinson has told MOT Leeds News that Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Julian Draxler would be a “massive signing” for Leeds United amid reported that the Whites have discussed a potential move for the Germany midfielder. However, it remains to be seen what Mauricio Pochettino does with Draxler.
Draxler, 27, has been in and out of the PSG side this season under fellow countryman Thomas Tuchel – clocking up nine appearances for the French side before the German manager was sacked. Ex-Borussia Dortmund boss Tuchel has since been replaced by former Tottenham gaffer Pochettino, who of course played for PSG during his playing career.
Draxler, meanwhile, is at a crossroads in his career. On the fringes of the starting XI, he has entered the final six months of his contract at PSG and non-French clubs can approach him on a pre-contract agreement under the Bosman ruling. Such a deal would see Leeds strike an agreement now, but land the former Schalke playmaker in the summer.
The Daily Mail state Leeds have discussed a possible move for Draxler among other options – including Real Madrid’s Lucas Vazquez and Leicester City’s Demarai Gray – and has urged the Whites to get a deal done for the German, claiming he would significantly improve the Whites.
“If you’re able to sign the likes of Julian Draxler, if you’re linked with those sorts of players, then it shows how far Leeds have come. It’s going to be interesting to see what Poch does there. You’ve got a new manager going in, you’ve got a clean slate.
“If he was out of the picture there before he might not be now.With his speed, his ability to use both feet and his goal-scoring from distance, which was outstanding at Schalke when he was younger. If you can add a player like that to your squad it would be a massive signing for Leeds.”
Wages are likely to be an issue. Some reports claim Draxler earns north of £100,000 a week at PSG, while Rodrigo Moreno is the club’s highest earner – according to Spotrac – on £58,000. Whether an agreement can be met remains to be seen, but Leeds certainly do need an attacking midfielder having missed out on the likes of Rodrigo De Paul and Michael Cuisance in the summer.
