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Liverpool, Arsenal or elsewhere: Where could PSG’s Julian Draxler transfer?

By Tom Bogert

SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 02: Julian Draxler of Germany reacts during the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 Final between Chile and Germany at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 2, 2017 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 02: Julian Draxler of Germany reacts during the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 Final between Chile and Germany at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 2, 2017 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images) /
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HONG KONG – JULY 19: Jurgen Klopp Manager of Liverpool speaks at the post match press conference during the Premier League Asia Trophy match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Hong Kong Stadium on July 19, 2017 in Hong Kong, Hong Kong. (Photo by Stanley Chou/Getty Images)
HONG KONG – JULY 19: Jurgen Klopp Manager of Liverpool speaks at the post match press conference during the Premier League Asia Trophy match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Hong Kong Stadium on July 19, 2017 in Hong Kong, Hong Kong. (Photo by Stanley Chou/Getty Images) /

Liverpool

In January, Liverpool had made a late run to sign the German. Only after PSG had him in their clutches, of course, the Reds were never going to pin him down.

Why not make a run at Draxler now?

If PSG are open to selling, and Liverpool have already bid £66 million for Naby Keita and a similar figure for Virgil Van Dijk, the money is there. Even if Jurgen Klopp gets his way and Philippe Coutinho is forced to stay, Draxler wouldn’t be a replacement for the Brazilian, they could play together.

Draxler is adept at playing attacking midfield or on the wing, similar to Coutinho. Klopp is intent on playing Coutinho in the midfield, in front of Jordan Henderson and next to either Gini Wijnaldum, Emre Can or Adam Lallana, which is somewhere that Draxler could operate as well.

Plus, Liverpool have nonexistent natural wing depth after Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, rendering Draxler’s fluidity more than useful.

The only reason for Liverpool to pause on a bid is Draxler’s reportedly questionable attitude. There is no place for a player that is not 100% committed under Klopp. His gegenpressing is easily undone if a weak link is on the field.

To obviate a poor situation for all, should a deal be agreed, it’d make sense for Klopp to sit down with his compatriot, a la Brendan Rodgers with Mario Balotelli.

Can’t be any worse than that, can it?

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