Friday, 6th September, 2013
To the surprise of many, Julian Draxler snubbed some big-money moves this summer, but the Schalke star has bigger fish to fry when choosing to stay on at the Veltins-Arena.
Draxler is in Germany's squad for tonight's World Cup qualifier against neighbours Austria, and next year's tournament is one for the long-term goal diary.
It could have been so different had any of Chelsea, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Arsenal been successful in luring Draxler away.
With a €45.5m release clause attached to his contract, the midfielder's value has soared ever since he signed an extension earlier in the summer.
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But with the international break well on top, Draxler once again reiterated that his future goals revolved around staying at Schalke.
"The World Cup is at the end of the season and you always need time to get used to a new team", Draxler told FIFA's official website.
"On top of that, I’m convinced I’m at the right club with Schalke. We haven’t had a great start to the campaign and I was a bit disappointed after the first few games.
"But I think we took another important step forward after signing Kevin-Prince Boateng [from AC Milan]. We've got a strong team.
"I want to be in the first team with my club and take on more responsibility.
"That’s the only way I can play myself into contention for the national team."
While Schalke were delighted to keep hold of Draxler this summer, the club's sporting director Horst Heldt has suggested it may prove impossible to do that in the longer term.
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