Wolfsburg have completed the signing of Schalke midfielder Julian Draxler. Draxler, 21, joins the DFB Pokal holders for a fee believed to be around €36 million, plus add-ons.
The Germany international, who can play on the wing and in a more central role, had been linked with a transfer to Juventus throughout the summer, but has opted to remain in the Bundesliga instead.
Wolfsburg opened talks with Draxler following the 3-0 defeat of Schalke on Friday, when it had become evident that both Ivan Perisic and Kevin De Bruyne were to leave the club during the final days of the transfer window.
Perisic went on to sign for Inter MIlan, while De Bruyne joined Manchester City. Kicker has reported that Draxler, who had three years left on his contract at Schalke, and Wolfsburg agreed personal
terms on Saturday.
Schalke general manager Horst Heldt Heldt said on the club’s official website:
“There are two reasons for our decision to accept Wolfsburg’s offer: We will not be disclosing information about the transfer fee, but we can say that it is the biggest transfer we’ve received for a
player at Schalke.