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Julian Draxler says he's not good enough to 'attract big clubs' like Arsenal and Liverpool

German youngster determined to prove himself

Tom Sheen
Friday 08 August 2014 16:55 BST
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Julian Draxler
Julian Draxler (Getty Images)

German youngster Julian Draxler says he is not good enough to "attract big clubs" - but is determined to find the form that made him one of the most exciting prospects in world football.

The 20-year-old almost moved to Arsenal in January but his club Schalke rejected the advances of the Gunners.

Draxler, part of Joachim Low's World Cup winning squad, admitted that the £37m buy-out clause drove him to distraction in the Bundesliga last season.

After scoring 10 goals in 2012-13, Draxler scored just twice for Schalke last season.

"It (the clause) stayed with me," Draxler told German newspaper Bild.

"I did not play like 20 clubs were ready to pay this sum for me last season. I have to become attractive to big clubs again.

"Now I know what it’s meant to be the bogeyman. After the derby loss to Dortmund, it felt like I was the only one who was blamed for it."

After attracting the attention of a number of clubs during the January window, Draxler has hardly been mentioned in this summer's transfer rumour mill.

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