Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is on the brink of signing Schalke midfielder Julian Draxler. The Mirror says Wenger is confident of landing Arsenal's No1 target before Friday's 11pm cut-off after lengthy negotiations throughout Wednesday.
Despite Schalke's public denials, they are eager to do business this month to ease their financial problems, and the Gunners are prepared to offer Draxler a near-double-your-money pay-rise from his current £45,000-a-week to £80,000.
Schalke are demanding around £35m, and also want almost all of the money paid up front.
It will be a race against time to get it done, but Arsenal are growing in confidence.
