Liverpool’s desire to hold on to star playmaker Philippe Coutinho in the summer is a great indicator of how highly the Reds rate him. However, reports linking him to the exit door refuse to die down, with a renewed interest from Barcelona.
There is no doubt that the Reds will desperately try to keep hold of Coutinho but just to cover the bases when push becomes a shove, they are ready to track for replacements.
One such name doing the rounds is that of Paris Saint-Germain playmaker Julian Draxler’s. (Daily Mirror). The German international is considered surplus to requirements at the French club following the record signing of Neymar.
To go with trimming of the squad, PSG will also have to make some sales to steer clear of Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations. Top of the list of possible exits is Draxler.
It is not for the first time that Draxler has been linked with a Premier League club. He is a long-time Arsenal target as Arsene Wenger continues to admire the playmaker. However, the Gunners let go of their chance to sign the player when he joined PSG.
The tables have turned now as Draxler has struggled to break into the first-team at the Parc des Princes this season. With Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani making a formidable trio, Draxler’s chances are going to be very limited.
Interestingly, despite his limited presence with PSG, Draxler continues to be a vital member of the German national team. He would surely be a part of their World Cup squad next year but will have to look for more first-team chances to keep himself in the right frame of form for the tournament.
Should the Reds go for Draxler? There are very few like-for-like replacements for Coutinho, should we decide to cash in on him in January. Draxler has the right attributes to be a success at Anfield and in Jurgen Klopp has a fellow countryman at the helm of affairs. With Coutinho looking more and more likely to go through the exit door, Draxler could be the right guy for the Reds.
