Arsenal ‘offered’ Julian Draxler transfer as Paris Saint-Germain plan £30m swap deal

Paris Saint-Germain are keen on signing Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi and are reportedly considering including Julian Draxler in any potential deal.

The Gunners have made no secret of their desire to raise transfer funds this summer, and Guendouzi is seen as one of their most saleable assets.

The French midfielder had been frozen out by Gunners head coach Mikel Arteta since Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton in June, amid reports of a verbal spat with Seagulls striker Neal Maupay.

Guendouzi was also left out of the Arsenal squad for the FA Cup final against Chelsea last month, and reports have claimed that the 21-year-old has been used as a bargaining chip in a bid to sign Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey, as well as Lyon’s Houssem Aouar.

PSG are also understood to be interested in the midfielder, and according to L’Equipe, the French champions are ready to include Draxler in a move to sign the Gunners star.

The report claims Arsenal were initially hoping to receive £30million (€35million) for Guendouzi, however they are now willing to lower their valuation.

Draxler has less than 12 months remaining on his contract, and PSG are reportedly hoping that he is tempted by a move to the Emirates.

The Germany international joined PSG from Wolfsburg in 2016, but struggled for regular game time at the Parc des Princes last season, making only 22 appearances.

Despite the reported interest from the Ligue 1 side, Guendouzi took to social media on Tuesday to hint that he is ready to fight for his place in Arteta’s plans.

“2 games, 6 points! Proud of my team @equipedefrance,” his social media post read, after he was in action for the France Under-21 side.

Guendouzi also added at the end: “Now let’s go back to work @Arsenal.”

Arsenal boss Arteta previously addressed the Guendouzi situation and suggested that the midfielder could yet have a future at the Emirates.

“I have been really clear that everybody starts from zero all the time in football,” Arteta said last month.

“What you did two weeks ago or two years ago doesn’t really matter. It’s what you are able to contribute to the team now. Everybody is going to have the same opportunities.

“They’ll have to show with their performances and their attitude that they are better than their teammates or somehow contributing to what we want to achieve this season.”

Expanding on his talks with Guendouzi, Arteta said: “To tell him exactly that he’s going to be part of the team and at the moment he’s like any other player in our squad.

“He deserves first of all to be treated exactly the same and I will do that to my best capability.”