Transfer news: Schalke give Arsenal hope in pursuit of Julian Draxler

Midfielder could be on the move this January

Schalke's midfielder Julian Draxler celebrates after scoring

Arsenal have been given hope in their reported pursuit of Schalke star Julian Draxler after the club's sporting director Horst Heldt admitted he couldn't rule anything out before the end of the January transfer window.

The north London club are understood to be sending a special delegation to Germany this week in order to work out a deal before the transfer window slams shut this Friday.

It is thought that Schalke are hoping to see Draxler's £37m release fee met while Arsenal are hoping to sign the player for closer to £25m.

Heldt said on Sunday: "I can’t exclude anything, I don’t know what other clubs are planning. I only know what happens in our club – and nothing happens at the moment, so we don’t bother with this.

"We are very calm with this thing."