Arsenal first showed an interest in Julian Draxler in January 2014 but, as Schalke held onto their talisman, no deal could be done.

Fastforward to the summer of 2015 and every transfer window since, without fail, has seen the German international linked with a move to north London. Now, though, he is set to stay in Germany and complete a move worth over €30m to replace Kevin de Bruyne at VfL Wolfsburg.

De Bruyne has signed for Manchester City, and the Wolves are now searching for an adequate replacement to strengthen their squad. Draxler has been earmarked as that man. The De Bruyne transfer has funded and encouraged this move for Draxler so, had Arsenal or Manchester United planned to act on rumoured interest in the German, those plans have been derailed by a Premier League rival.

“According to information from @Kaestorfer, Julian Draxler is currently in Wolfsburg to finalise the transfer.”

With a series of injuries and patchy form, Draxler hasn’t lived up to expectations. The last two seasons have been huge disappointment after a great fanfare was made about him extending his contract to 2018 only in the summer of 2013.

Still, at the age of 21, he has managed 30 goals in 171 professional appearances for one of the biggest clubs in Germany, and will only get better. A big money transfer will only put more pressure on the young star, and he’ll need broad shoulders to shrug it off.

This deal almost certainly wouldn’t have been worth the risk for Arsenal but there’s no doubt it’ll frustrate some fans. The Gunners were in for Draxler just 18 months ago and will now see him move elsewhere in a summer that the club has signed just one player.