Julian Draxler will see out the rest of the season at Schalke, but Kim Kallstrom could be heading to Arsenal for a temporary spell.
German international Draxler has been Arsene Wenger’s main target during the January transfer window, as he looks to maintain the Gunners push for some much overdue silverware. The Londoners haven’t won a trophy since 2005, but are well placed in the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and FA Cup this season.
It looked as though a deal for Draxler would be concluded before the 11pm deadline on Friday, but the two clubs have been unable to agree a fee. It is believed Wenger was prepared to pay around £23million for the 20-year-old attacking midfielder, but Schalke are holding out for a fee closer to £32million for one of the best talents in Europe.
Speaking in his press conference ahead of the visit of Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon, Wenger, whose need for reinforcements has been underlined by an injury which will extend Aaron Ramsey’s absence for at least another six weeks, conceded: “The Draxler situation has been created by the newspapers, not by me. He will stay at Schalke.”
However, there could be at least one arrival at the Emirates Stadium before the window shuts. Widespread reports suggest the Gunners are closing on a deal for experienced Sweden international Kallstrom, who is currently plying his trade in Russia with Spartak Moscow. According to John Cross of The Mirror, who is well informed on matters relating to Arsenal, the 31-year-old has arrived at the club’s training ground to complete talks and undergo a medical ahead of signing a loan deal for the remainder of the season.
Kallstrom, who has 108 caps for his country, started his career in his homeland with BK Hacken and Djurgardens IF, before heading to France with Rennes in 2004, However, it was his six-year spell at Lyon in which he shot to fame. During his time at the Stade de Gerland, he won two league titles and two Coupe de France’s, before joining Spartak in 2012.
