Arsenal handed Julian Draxler boost with Wolfsburg chief suggesting they’re cash-strapped

ARSENAL have been given a boost in their hopes of signing Julian Draxler.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is a long-term admirer of the Germany forward and has reportedly made a £43million bid.

And Wolfsburg's sporting director has admitted that a deal could now be struck for Draxler, whose current deals runs until 2020, with the Gunners and Manchester United interested.

The German outfit are struggling for cash after mailing to clinch a Champions League spot.

And matters have been made worse by the fact Wolkswagen made a £1.34billion loss (1.52bn euros) last year.

Klaus Allofs said: “Clearly we have a lot to talk about. There were a few issues that have emerged in the past.”

However, a report in German paper Bild states that Allofs and Wolfsburg want to do business at £50m (60m euros) - meaning Wenger would have to stump up somewhere between five and ten million quid more than he wants to.

Draxler featured for Germany at the Euros both as a lone attacker and on the left of a three-man triumvirate supporting striker Mario Gomez - scoring one and laying on another in the 3-0 last-16 win against Slovakia.

While he has the pace and movement to operate as a striker, there is little doubt he is most comfortable operating as an attacking midfielder.

And Wenger is desperate to bolster his front line, after Leicester hero Jamie Vardy snubbed a move to the Emirates earlier this summer.

The French boss also remains keen on Napoli ace Gonzalo Higuain.

Wenger has strenghthend his midfield with the signing of Granit Xhaka from fellow Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach.

But he appears to still be a striker and defender short of a team that look capable of mounting a sustained title challenge next season.

Japanese starlet Takuma Asano has also arrived from Sanfrecce Hiroshima, but he is considered more as one for the future.