January Draxler bid could ignite Manchester United’s season

Manchester United’s prospects of claiming silverware this term could be significantly boosted by a major signing in the January transfer window – but only if the key arrival is Schalke’s Julian Draxler.

The defending champions can currently be backed at 19/5 to retain their Premier League crown this term, while an FA Cup success is priced at 6/1 with Ladbrokes.

But if David Moyes is to capture silverware in his debut season with the Red Devils, then reinforcements will be required, following a summer of frustration in the transfer market.

While Thiago Alcantara opted for a move to Bayern Munich his former Barcelona team mate Cesc Fabregas also rebuffed United’s advances in favour of extending his stay with the Catalans.

A last minute move for Athletic Bilbao’s Ander Herrera proved similarly unsuccessful, with the Reds ultimately forced into another big money swoop for Marouanne Fellaini, with the Belgian yet to hit the heights he enjoyed at Everton.

The United hierarchy will be determined to secure a transfer to rival Arsenal’s £42 million move for Mezut Ozil, a deal that has had a galvanizing effect on the Gunners, and Draxler could well fit the bill.

The 20-year-old recently signed a new deal at the Veltins Arena but with some claiming that the new contract has been put in place to ensure Schalke receive the maximum fee for their prized asset, a January transfer is not out of the question.

Speaking to the BBC this week, the midfielder was full of praise for the English top flight describing it as “one of the best leagues in the world.”

“You have big clubs like Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea – of course it’s a big dream to play for one of them.”

And reports suggest United may now be willing to stump up the cash this January, with others put off by the fact he will be ineligible for the Champions League.

Draxler could be the man to add some extra creativity to a United side that has struggled for goals, scoring 18 in 11 Premier League games so far this term – 10 less than the number registered at the same point last season.

And with the Red Devils still in the League Cup hunt with a quarter-final tie against Stoke to come, his arrival could make odds of 7/2 on a Reds’ Wembley success another great bet.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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