Liverpool plot double swoop for Schalke pair Holtby and Draxler
Reds manager Brendan Rodgers has set his sights on making the German
internationals his first signings following his summer move to the
Merseyside club
Reds manager Brendan Rodgers is looking to
freshen up his squad and the youngsters, both Germany internationals,
fit the bill in two areas he most wants to strengthen.
Liverpool
face a tough task in completing a move for either player, but the early
indication is that Holtby appears a more realistic option as his current
contract expires next summer and he is yet to extend his deal.
Meanwhile, Draxler, who is just 18, is
considered a future superstar and is almost certain to stay at the
Veltins-Arena as Schalke plan to make him the face of the club.
Though a move for Holtby is more feasible, the player's agent has told Goal.com that he is in talks over a new contract and Schalke are eager to keep their all-action midfielder.
The
21-year-old, who shares dual English and German nationality, has
previously talked up a future move to the Premier League and has
declared a desire to one day play for Everton, his boyhood club and
Liverpool’s city rivals.
Goal.com revealed on Tuesday that
Rodgers wants to sign £10 million-rated Joe Allen from Swansea but
Holtby, who scored nine goals in 41 appearances last season for Schalke,
remains high on his list of targets.
Draxler netted five times
last term playing in an attacking role on the left-hand side for the
Bundesliga outfit, with the coming season marked as his breakthrough
year following the departure of Spanish legend Raul.
Liverpool
are looking to bolster their attacking options, especially with Andy
Carroll likely to leave Anfield and the future of Alberto Aquilani
unclear, but German sources insist Draxler would be too expensive for
the Reds and would only leave Schalke for one of the two Spanish giants,
Barcelona or Real Madrid.
Source : Goal.com
