Transfer news: Arsenal keeping an eye on Wolfsburg midfielder Maximilian Arnold with German recruitment likely to continue

19-year-old has broken into the Wolfsburg first team this season and could become the latest German export to head to the Emirates

Maximilian Arnold has been linked with a move to Arsenal (GETTY IMAGES)

Arsenal could be looking to expand their German contingent in the summer with a move for Wolfsburg attacking midfielder Maximilian Arnold.

The 19-year-old is reportedly being monitored by the Gunners staff, as they continue to expand and develop their scouting network in Germany. Arnold is currently contracted to the Bundesliga club until 2015, but it is believed that he has an £8m buy-out clause in his contract.

Arsenal have made a point of bringing in German players in recent seasons, with the additions of Per Mertesacker, Lukas Podolski, Serge Gnabry and Gedion Zelalem culminating in the £42.5m acquisition of Mesut Özil last summer.

And while Özil’s form has dipped in recent weeks, Arsene Wenger appears to be showing no signs of stopping in his hunt for German talent as he considers a move for the teenager.

Arnold has become a prominent figure in the Wolfsburg squad this season, making 15 appearances and scoring six times in his first full season with the first team. He also looks destined to break into the national squad in the future, having featured regularly throughout Germany’s youth teams from the Under-16’s to the Under-21’s.

Arsenal were linked with a January move for Schalke attacking midfielder Julian Draxler, although despite reports that the deal was done, they missed out and had to move swiftly to bring in Kim Kallstrom on transfer deadline day.

20-year-old Draxler still looks likely to leave Schalke sooner rather than later, although a summer move to Arsenal could be hijacked by Bayern Munich with reports in Germany claiming that the Champions League holders were responsible for calling off the move to the Emirates.