Transfer news: Arsenal willing to offer Lukas Podolski as part of Julian Draxler transfer, Schalke reject rumours

Premier League leaders may offload aging German star for a younger model

Arsenal willing to offer Lukas Podolski as part of Julian Draxler transfer (Getty Images)

Arsenal are adding the final touches to a £20m offer for Julian Draxler which will include Lukas Podolski leaving for Schalke, according to reports.

The Bundesliga club are thought to be holding out for Draxler's release clause of £37m but may be tempted by Podolski 's inclusion in the deal.

According to The Sun, Arsene Wenger is determined to sign the 20-year-old in the current window, and is believed to be happy to use Podolski as bait.

But when it was put to a Schalke official, he said: "It is nonsense to suggest we might consider selling him this winter. It will not happen."

Like many of his Premier League counterparts, the winter window is proving to be a frustrating affair for Wenger after the Frenchman missed out on Real Madrid midfielder Alvaro Morata and Juventus' Mirko Vucinic last week.

Podolski, a firm fans’ favourite at the Emirates, has only recently returned from a four-month lay-off, and may be stubborn to any switch.

Earlier in the week the Gunners manager was coy about his transfer dealings, merely saying: "I would love to announce to you something that would excite you but I don’t have the opportunity to do so."

Meanwhile the Londoners have reportedly rejected a preliminary inquiry from Serie A side Napoli, for Thomas Vermaelen despite the Gunners captain only having three appearances to his name.

The Belgian international has spent most of the season on the bench, following the impervious form of centre-back pair Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker, and has only played one minute of Champions League football.