Arsenal set to offer £37m for Schalke wonderkid Julian Draxler

Arsenal will not be deterred from launching an audacious £37million move for Julian Draxler this month despite the German wonderkid needing specialist treatment for a ruptured tendon.

Arsene Wenger has been strongly linked with an imminent bid for Schalke’s attacking midfielder, and there were even suggestions he could be heading to London for a medical this week.

But according to Sportsmail, the 20-year old is heading to Munich, instead, for treatment to a ruptured tendon that will keep him out until March.

Arsenal are ready to splash out on the German wonderkid whom they believe can be the next Robin van Persie and the injury concerns are not a concern.

They are prepared to meet the release clause for Draxler, 20, who has been identified as a priority target for the Gunners after an intensive scouting drive.

Arsene Wenger’s staff believe Draxler, who plays as an attacking midfielder for Schalke, has the attributes to play as a lone centre forward.

Arsenal think Draxler has similar qualities to those of Van Persie and Thierry Henry, who arrived in north London as wingers but became prolific goalscorers.

Schalke bosses have admitted they are powerless to stop him moving, once his 45million euro release clause is met.

Even though it only kicks in once the season is over, general manager Horst Heldt conceded that a bid of that amount this month would be impossible to turn down.

He is not expecting it to materialise now, however, after booking Draxler in for an appointment with renowned specialist Hans-Muller Wohlfahrt in Munich on Thursday.

Having failed to land Luis Suarez or Wayne Rooney last summer and with limited cover, Wenger has made signing a new centre forward a priority.

Arsenal have also been linked with Real Madrid poacher Alvaro Morata in this transfer window.