The Short Fuse - Julian Draxler transfer: Probably not happening, but who actually knows anymoreit me, Jeffhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51365/tsf-fav.png2014-02-04T10:14:28-05:00http://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/rss/stream/50739932014-02-04T10:14:28-05:002014-02-04T10:14:28-05:00Schalke chairman: Draxler doesn't "want" Bayern
<figure>
<img alt="here's hoping we get a break from this soon" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/nn6bvb4sNpi4znAcNMK7LjQdv_U=/0x87:2525x1770/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/28022207/452140795.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>here's hoping we get a break from this soon | Lars Baron</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Sounds like, at worst, the German winger doesn't have a preference where he ends up.</p> <p>In the near-week since the transfer window closed, much (more) has been made of the failed courtship of Schalke 04 and Julian Draxler by <a href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arsenal</a>, and predictably, the bogey of <a href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bayern Munich</a> has appeared. They tend to buy up pretty much all young German talent that comes available, and Draxler is available, so the link is pretty much inevitable. But while people seem to be assuming that makes it a done deal, it may not be so simple.</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>"Ich kann zu 100% ausschließen, dass Julian zum <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBayern">@FCBayern</a> will." Tönnies über Draxler <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23s04&src=hash">#s04</a> spobis14</p>
— Tobias Holtkamp (@Rune4) <a href="https://twitter.com/Rune4/statuses/430708919179415552">February 4, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>last RT: "I can rule out, 100 per cent, that Julian Draxler wants to go to Bayern" Schalke boss Clemens Tönnies</p>
— Raphael Honigstein (@honigstein) <a href="https://twitter.com/honigstein/statuses/430710398229037057">February 4, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>So Draxler doesn't want to go to Bayern. That's encouraging - if he did, that would pretty much eliminate Arsenal from contention, if player and team want each other and the team has the means to do the deal. But before you get <i>too</i> excited, keep in mind that (depending on the translation being correct in nuance) it doesn't say that Draxler is opposed to going to Bayern, or that he hates them, or that he refuses to go there. I simply read that to say that the player is not committed to going there, in the same way that (for example) <span>Cesc Fabregas</span> would only go to Barcelona. His mind isn't already made up, in other words.</p>
<p>And will it even matter?</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Bayern will sign him anyway, even if he doesn't want to.* *joke</p>
— Raphael Honigstein (@honigstein) <a href="https://twitter.com/honigstein/statuses/430710843605385216">February 4, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>Bayern Munich are going to be a major player in this deal, practically as a guarantee. But this comment does mean that Arsenal still have a chance. Once again: we'll see.</p>
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https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/arsenal-transfer-rumors-and-news/2014/2/4/5377410/arsenal-transfer-rumours-julian-draxler-schalke-bayern-munichThomas Wachtel2014-01-30T17:28:45-05:002014-01-30T17:28:45-05:00Julian Draxler Transfer Not Happening, Say Schalke
<figure>
<img alt="Nope!" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ELFVPrmYH1QsiWKSv3q01pZn2S8=/0x166:4000x2833/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/27757095/188068411.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Nope! | Handout</figcaption>
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<p>A transfer that may not have been a thing became a thing, and now may not be a thing again.</p> <p>So, crazy week, huh? Delegations were reportedly being sent to Germany, which led to the mental image of half the Arsenal front office getting in a plane, flying to Schalke, cornering Horst Heldt, and forcing him to take a whole bunch of money off their hands. Then, we heard there was no delegation, which could have still meant that an <a target="_blank" href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jan/29/arsenal-move-julian-draxler-schalke">Arsenal employee or two would go to negotiate</a>. Which still left open the possibility that Draxler would be wearing an Arsenal kit as early as this weekend, if everything went well.</p>
<p>Now, we're hearing everything didn't went well:</p>
<p><span><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Arsenal not signing Draxler. Was interest but AW unwilling to meet <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Schalke&amp;src=hash">#Schalke</a> asking price. Only <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23afc&amp;src=hash">#afc</a> deal may be a loan arrival <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23bbcfootball&amp;src=hash">#bbcfootball</a></p>&mdash; David Ornstein (@bbcsport_david) <a href="https://twitter.com/bbcsport_david/statuses/428986865405132800">January 30, 2014</a></blockquote></span></p>
<p><span><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></span></p>
<p>Don't believe Twitter, even though in this case that tweet was from a proper (and fairly reliable) journalist? Think it's less a driver of news than a refractor of it? Me too, so here's a link <a target="_blank" href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jan/30/arsenal-blow-julian-draxler-schalke-move-ruled-out" style="background-color: #ffffff;">from an actual news source</a>, saying essentially the same thing.</p>
<p>So, it would appear that, as Arsenal started January without a Julian Draxler, it may well start February sans Draxler as well. Which leaves Arsenal in roughly the same shape it was a week ago. What your view of that shape is will go a long way towards determining how upset you are with the Draxler non-move.</p>
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https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/2014/1/30/5362628/arsenal-transfer-rumors-premier-league-julian-draxler-transferpdb2014-01-30T11:51:52-05:002014-01-30T11:51:52-05:00Will Julian Draxler stay at Schalke after all?
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/pIom82kOeOI6nAt0JN4Bc_3wrnc=/0x107:2525x1790/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/27736803/452140795.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Lars Baron</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Horst Heldt, Schalke's sporting director that Arsenal fans have come to know over the past month, has appeared to toss a healthy amount of cold water on the prospects of his club's crown jewel, Julian Draxler, moving this month</p> <p>The transfer saga of Julian Draxler has more bends and turns, more highs and lows, than the world-famous Monaco GP circuit. One day, the only thing left to conclude his transfer to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/">Arsenal</a> is Schalke's signoff on the fee, the next day the transfer's off and Arsenal are, yet again, left without a transfer dance partner. And that's just if you've followed the newspapers. Twitter's a completely different story full of poseurs, imposters and attention-seeking "ITK's." So it stands to reason that, a day after everyone thought Draxler was getting ready to start flat shopping in North London, that the news coming out of the Ruhr region that he's staying at Schalke.</p>
<p>Because January transfer window, that's why.</p>
<p>The Guardian has decided to debunk <a href="http://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/2014/1/29/5359150/julian-draxler-transfer-arsenal" target="_blank">the Mirror's report yesterday</a> that Draxler was all but signed by Arsenal, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jan/30/arsenal-blow-julian-draxler-schalke-move-ruled-out?CMP=twt_gu" target="_blank">by quoting Schalke sporting director Horst Heldt from his press conference earlier today</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>"We are happy to have such a world class player in our lines. I am very convinced that Draxler will be playing for us in the Rueckrunde [second half of the season] but most probably beyond that," he said at a news conference on Thursday. "We are not interested in letting Julian leave, and he has also not approached us about a transfer."</span></p>
</blockquote>
<p>A couple things to note both here and with the entire Draxler situation.</p>
<p>One, much like Arsene Wenger's infamous reluctance on showing his hand at potential transfers in the works, there's the very real possibility that Heldt is letting current closed-door negotiations play out with the local media eager to do his bidding.</p>
<p>By simply saying this in front of cameras and reporters willing to quote him, he's put pressure back on Arsenal to come to the table with a better offer, something that shouldn't shock us who are familiar with Wenger's negotiating ways and methods. He knows Arsenal fans are clamoring for Draxler's signature, and with only a day and some change left to secure it, he's upping the stakes for what it's going to take to get Draxler as well as to keep his fans - <a href="http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/452092/Mikel-Arteta-says-Arsenal-must-sign-another-striker" target="_blank">and some of his own players</a> - happy.</p>
<p>Further, if all of the above from Heldt were true (which I highly doubt), it would contradict nearly everything that's been said about Draxler, his intentions on moving abroad and Schalke's willingness to sell their prized asset. Just a couple weeks ago, <a href="http://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/2014/1/14/5309912/julian-draxler-arsenal-transfer-rumours" target="_blank">Heldt himself said that they could be forced to sell Draxler</a> due to "factors [we] cannot influence." And Draxler himself, back in September, appeared to be thinking of future landing spots, <a href="http://metro.co.uk/2013/09/01/arsenal-alerted-as-julian-draxler-admits-he-could-leave-schalke-3945110/" target="_blank">admitting he wouldn't turn down an opportunity if a club came to Schalke looking to buy</a>.</p>
<p>All of this leads me to believe that this is still far from over and to expect more in the coming hours. My suggestion is to not conclude anything yet and to expect more drama coming from all interested sides of this prolonged transfer saga.</p>
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https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/2014/1/30/5361362/julian-draxler-arsenal-transfer-rumourTravis King2014-01-29T18:38:14-05:002014-01-29T18:38:14-05:00Your evening Draxler: Arsenal "confident" of deal
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Jnr-KEaA6_JoVtu0luHz5Dt1AHc=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/27698963/450384533.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Charlie Crowhurst</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Three media outlets have the Arsenal boss becoming increasingly confident of Arsenal signing the German international. </p> <p>The Mirror, Telegraph and Daily Mail are all running a similar story tonight: Arsenal are close to signing Julian Draxler. According to Matt Law of the <a target="_blank" href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegraph.co.uk%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Fteams%2Farsenal%2F10605875%2FArsenal-and-Julian-Draxler-in-advanced-talks-over-36-million-deal.html&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Ftheshortfuse.sbnation.com%2F2014%2F1%2F29%2F5359150%2Fjulian-draxler-transfer-arsenal" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">Telegraph</a>, talks with Schalke about a £36m were progressing well. <span>Lukasz Fabianski</span> could also be included in the deal. The sense of needing to complete the deal before the transfer window closes on Friday has been increased after <span>Aaron Ramsey</span> could potentially miss a month after re-aggravating his thigh injury.</p>
<p>In the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/arsenal-transfers-julian-draxler-deal-3090314#.UumOT_ldWSo">Mirror</a>, John Cross has a similar story, though adds that <span>Arsene Wenger</span> is "confident" of sealing the deal, adding that Schalke are eager to cash in on Draxler to "ease financial problems". By paying the entirety of the fee, Schalke could be willing to accept a lower price than Draxler's summer buyout clause.</p>
<p>Furthermore, Germany's team doctor, Dr. Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt, who of course conducted Mesut Özil's medical, has allegedly told Arsenal that Draxler could return to full fitness in a week.</p>
<p>This is all promising stuff, but it is interesting to note that German papers claim that <a href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arsenal's</a> delegation never arrived in Germany, despite all the major British outlets asserting the opposite. There is a fair degree of uncertainty with regards to any potential move for Draxler, but, there's an awful lot of smoke for there not to be a fire. At the very least, Arsenal have made tomorrow and Friday far more interesting.</p>
https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/2014/1/29/5359150/julian-draxler-transfer-arsenalAidan Gibson2014-01-29T11:56:20-05:002014-01-29T11:56:20-05:00Arsenal Reps In Germany to Bring Draxler "Home?"
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<img alt="This is Sebastian Jung. You might hear about him over the next few days. (And we've run enough Draxler pictures.) " src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/SNAihoywMIZN9TJwqEdUREVouhI=/0x35:4000x2702/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/27672913/461799429.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>This is Sebastian Jung. You might hear about him over the next few days. (And we've run enough Draxler pictures.) | Francois Nel</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Sky Sports is saying that there's a difference between what Arsenal wants to pay and what Schalke wants to sell for, but they're getting together to talk about the move. </p> <p>The ongoing will-he-or-won't-he Julian Draxler transfer saga has a new chapter, courtesy of this morning's <a href="http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11670/9139706/transfer-news-arsenal-in-talks-over-schalke-midfielder-julian-draxler" target="_blank">Sky Sports report</a> that a contingent from the Arsenal camp has flown to Germany to talk about the transfer fee. According to the story, Schalke's holding out for £37 million, while <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/">Arsenal's</a> interested in paying no more than £30 million. Arseblog chimed in with <a target="_blank" href="http://news.arseblog.com/2014/01/dick-in-deutschland-as-arsenal-take-drax-tic-action/">its own assessment of the situation</a>, complete with a tweet from Dick Law (note: probably not the real DIck Law), shouting, "Schalke! I am in you!" Perhaps the negotiations happening for Lewis Holtby's return to Schalke from Spur-gatory, <a target="_blank" href="http://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/arsenal-transfer-rumors-and-news/2014/1/29/5357314/arsenal-transfer-news-holtby-schalke-draxler">that we reported on this morning</a>, might figure into the final price.</p>
<p>The report's feeding speculation from other news sources, including <a target="_blank" href="http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/456735/Arsenal-offer-25m-for-Julian-Draxler-as-Chelsea-END-interest-in-Schalke-star">Express, who said</a> that <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> (who was allegedly done with January transfer window business last week), was interested in Draxler but no longer are -- having moved on to rumored Arsenal target Diego Costa. And, because transfer rumors are fun, <a target="_blank" href="http://talksport.com/magazine/features/121106/are-arsenal-lining-full-back-replace-bacary-sagna-184697">a number of sources are saying</a> that while Arsenal's in Germany, they'll stop by Eintracht Frankfurt to pick up right-back Sebastian Jung.</p>
<p>(And, in one of the most imaginative rumors of this transfer window, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/362732/REVEALED-Arsenal-could-use-Puma-sponsorship-deal-to-sign-Colombia-star-Radamel-Falcao?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+daily-star-football+(Daily+Star+%3A%3A+Football+Feed)">Daily Star did a fanciful connect-the-dots</a> with Arsenal's new Puma sponsorship, and Falcao's Puma sponsorship, and thought that the Monaco striker, fresh off a knee surgery that will likely keep him out of this summer's <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-cup-2014">World Cup</a>, would be a perfect addition to the Arsenal squad.)</p>
https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/2014/1/29/5357528/reports-arsenal-delegation-in-germany-to-discuss-draxler-termsPhil West2014-01-29T10:17:58-05:002014-01-29T10:17:58-05:00Reports: Lewis Holtby close to Schalke return
<figure>
<img alt="DEUCES, I'M OUT" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8yLTXPYfeLhGHOnvlfdFClYkyqw=/420x77:3565x2174/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/27667047/455609707.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>DEUCES, I'M OUT | Paul Gilham</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A possible stepping-stone to a Julian Draxler deal may be about to fall into place.</p> <p><a href="http://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/arsenal-transfer-rumors-and-news/2014/1/14/5307390/arsenal-transfer-rumors-draxler-holtby-spurs-schalke" target="_blank">We've talked in the past</a> about how <span>Lewis Holtby</span> ditching <a href="https://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tottenham Hotspur</a> for Schalke 04 could help <a href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arsenal</a> to bring in Schalke's Julian Draxler. It looked for a bit like that deal had fallen apart, as Borussia Dortmund appeared to have the advantage, but they balked at Spurs' price and abandoned pursuit. And now!</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>German Sky Sports News claim that Holtby's move back to Schalke is "in the final stages"...</p>
— gunnerblog (@gunnerblog) <a href="https://twitter.com/gunnerblog/statuses/428540571125547008">January 29, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>Plenty of things, though, have in the past been "in the final stages" and failed to come off. I'm pretty sure our attempt on Gonzalo Higuain, for example, had to have been in the final stages at one point, and he's not here. So that's no guarantee, especially when you have his agent saying things like this:</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Schalke&src=hash">#Schalke</a> - Holtby-Berater exklusiv zu <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23SSNHD&src=hash">#SSNHD</a> "wir sind in der finalen Phase, aber ein Weg zurück in die Buli wird schwer zu realisieren!"</p>
— Dirk g. Schlarmann (@Sky_Dirk) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sky_Dirk/statuses/428536326573789185">January 29, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>I can't read German at all, but Friend of the Blog Sam Drew can. Here's his take on that tweet:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>And that says: Holtby's agent says "We are in the final phase, but a way back into the Bundesliga will be hard to realise"</p>
— Sam Drew (@sdrewfootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/sdrewfootball/statuses/428537327653494784">January 29, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>Does that all seem a bit contradictory to you? Because it does to me. Either way this may all be much ado about nothing, as the acquisition of Holtby doesn't necessarily mean anything for Draxler. It could, but there's no confirmation there. So we wait.</p>
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https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/arsenal-transfer-rumors-and-news/2014/1/29/5357314/arsenal-transfer-news-holtby-schalke-draxlerThomas Wachtel2014-01-17T10:24:12-05:002014-01-17T10:24:12-05:00Will Arsenal Move for Berbatov or Draxler?
<figure>
<img alt="Wenger says "non" to your transfer rumors." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/paoJBTHXFpJVkBB2y9q-USM4cuM=/0x72:4000x2739/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/26997169/462493081.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Wenger says "non" to your transfer rumors. | Michael Regan</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>At his Friday press conference, The Professor also has some things to say about the transfer window and UFOs, and our favorite Norwegian brings some additional perspective to the fun that is January. </p> <p>Not exactly a newsflash here: Arsene Wenger's not into feeding the transfer window speculation machine, so when he was asked about possible incoming players at <a href="http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/boss-on-speculation-and-january-window" target="_blank">today's pre-match press conference</a>, he responded exactly how you'd expect him to.</p>
<p>First up, Dimitar Berbatov. When asked about being linked to a move for the <a href="https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Fulham</a> striker -- who he'll see up close and personal tomorrow, as Arsenal gets set to face the downward-bound Cottagers -- he said:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>You should ask the question, do I rate Berbatov as player? Highly. Have we made any approach to sign Berbatov? No.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>When asked directly whether Arsenal would sign Berbatov, Wenger summarily threw a wet blanket on all striker rumors by effectively saying what Arsenal currently has is good enough.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>I don't think so because we have Bendtner who is coming back, we have <span>Yaya Sanogo</span> who is making very good progress in training. Of course we have lost <span>Theo Walcott</span> and that for us was a big blow but hopefully we can compensate. We have not made any approach.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>This would presumably include the rumored interest in Juventus' Mirko Vucinic -- Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano tweeted the latest (or, if you prefer, "latest") this morning:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Arsenal had a meeting today for <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Vucinic&src=hash">#Vucinic</a>: Juventus said no to loan, in next days Wenger will decide if make an offer for permanent deal <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23AFC&src=hash">#AFC</a></p>
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabRomano21) <a href="https://twitter.com/FabRomano21/statuses/424184153538457600">January 17, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>As for Draxler, he not only denied that a signing was imminent, but responded to rumors that Draxler had trained at <a href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arsenal's</a> grounds in November, by saying:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>That's like a non-identified flying object. Some see them everywhere.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>That led our new favorite Norwegian, Jan Aage Fjortoft, to tweet news (or, if you prefer, "news"), along with some trolling:</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>CONFIRMATION! Draxler and Schalke trained at Arsenal's TrainingGround 7.11.13, day after <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chelsea</a>- Schalke "Impressed by facilities" <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23AFC&src=hash">#AFC</a></p>
— Jan Aage Fjortoft (@JanAageFjortoft) <a href="https://twitter.com/JanAageFjortoft/statuses/424186758843338752">January 17, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Hello Wenger!!!! UFO seen at Arsenal's TrainingGround 7.11.13. Did you watch it? Did you talk to the Alien? <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23AFC&src=hash">#AFC</a> </p>
— Jan Aage Fjortoft (@JanAageFjortoft) <a href="https://twitter.com/JanAageFjortoft/statuses/424188188996173824">January 17, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
Jan Aage did, however, tweet some medical update news on Draxler which, if true, puts the injury in the Happily Not So Serious After All Zone:</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Re: Draxler MedicalCheck today: Can start to run next week. New check in 2 weeks. 1st game in February <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Bild&src=hash">#Bild</a></p>
— Jan Aage Fjortoft (@JanAageFjortoft) <a href="https://twitter.com/JanAageFjortoft/statuses/423886246575087616">January 16, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>Wenger also did another round of grumping about the January transfer window, but in that, noted that if there was to be activity, it would likely be in the last three days. He didn't specify whether this would be Arsenal activity or activity in general, but he said that you can pretty much count on another 11 days of inactivity, despite the admittedly minor wheeling and dealing that Chelsea and <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Everton</a> have been doing in this window.</p>
<p>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3604021/nextclicks.css"></p>
https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/2014/1/17/5318836/wenger-addresses-draxler-berbatov-rumorsPhil West2014-01-15T11:51:18-05:002014-01-15T11:51:18-05:00Draxler: Hurt, But How Hurt?
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/eD3aQtaIjZc6kIa4Dc2Mk3-s3lQ=/0x86:4000x2753/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/26873835/455176449.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Martin Rose</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The phrase "ruptured tendon" isn't encouraging -- and it's popping up in today's Julian Draxler stories -- but the recovery time might be quicker than initially reported. </p> <p>As more and more publications jump on the Julian Draxler-to-Arsenal train -- and as more and more pundits compare Draxler to Robin van Persie, thinking that <span>Arsene Wenger</span> will engineer a similar magical winger-to-forward conversion -- there's a bit of unfortunate reality getting in the way of these plans.</p>
<p>It turns out that Draxler has an injury. Both <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2539524/Arsene-Wenger-new-RVP-Arsenal-make-37m-Julian-Draxler-Schalke.html" target="_blank">the Daily Mail</a> and <a href="http://metro.co.uk/2014/01/15/julian-draxlers-arsenal-transfer-hit-by-injury-blow-4263495/" target="_blank">Metro are reporting</a> that Draxler is to see a specialist in Munich for a "ruptured tendon" (which doesn't sound good), and Metro chimes in with the doomy proclamation that it could be for as much as three months. And yet, both publications say that <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/">Arsenal's</a> still in for the £35-37M bid it would take to bring him over from Schalke in the January window.</p>
<p>Our favorite German soccer expert, Jan Aage Fjortoft, originally sent out a since-deleted tweet saying that the injury would only sideline Draxler for 10 days, and then posted this:</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Reliable German journalist <a href="https://twitter.com/Sky_Dirk">@Sky_Dirk</a> who follows Schalke says Julian Draxler will be back middle of February.</p>
— Jan Aage Fjortoft (@JanAageFjortoft) <a href="https://twitter.com/JanAageFjortoft/statuses/423489189880270848">January 15, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<p>That would be Sky Sports' Dirk Schlarmann, who totally gave us a shout-out yesterday by retweeting this:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>The last sentence says it all --> How Tottenham selling <span>Lewis Holtby</span> could help Arsenal - The Short Fuse <a href="http://t.co/52bkBnCAkM">http://t.co/52bkBnCAkM</a></p>
— Schalke UK news (@Schalke_UK) <a href="https://twitter.com/Schalke_UK/statuses/423407838279368705">January 15, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>And Raphael Honigstein, another German soccer expert who takes to Twitter as well, had this to say:</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Re Draxler injury. No new reports in Germany yet. Schalke have told reporters a couple of days ago that there'll be an update this week.</p>
— Raphael Honigstein (@honigstein) <a href="https://twitter.com/honigstein/statuses/423427289758445569">January 15, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<p>Though "ruptured tendon" might not be the thing that moves Dick Law to get Draxler's paperwork in motion, Fjortoft quoted Honigstein on his Twitter account yesterday, saying that the Draxler move is still more likely in the summer, Schalke will let buyers come to them, and Arsenal would have the inside track over Bayern Munich if both came calling.</p>
<p>So, you know, encouraging, except for the whole "ruptured tendon" thing.</p>
https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/arsenal-transfer-rumors-and-news/2014/1/15/5311502/arsenal-transfer-rumors-news-draxler-injury-schalkePhil West