Julian Draxler

Bayern Munich are ready to hijack Arsenal's big summer move for Julian Draxler, according to fresh reports. German officials from Pep Guardiola's side are said to have already approached the Schalke star to convince him to move to the Allianz Arena and snub the Premier League giants.

The German international was heavily linked to Arsenal during the January transfer window and it is understood the Gunners are likely to continue their pursuit of his signature, as manager Arsene Wenger has earmarked him as his main summer target.

Some reports last month claimed Arsenal refused to meet his £37m release clause but others suggest the real reasons behind Draxler's stalled move to the Emirates was Bayern's interest in his services.

According to German newspaper Bild, club sporting director Matthias Sammer called Draxler's agent Roger Wittman to tell him they will pay his £37m buy-out clause in the summer if any other club were ready to do business.

Bayern have a very prolific youth academy but at the same time they are always monitoring German prodigies from other teams. Nevertheless, Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge denied they had already agreed a deal with Draxler.

"Such rumours are ridiculous, absolutely nonsense. Every day a news item comes out and I can only laugh about it. We also talked about it with Schalke, and we agree on this. I just can't explain how these rumours come out. Maybe somebody doesn't sleep well at night."

Bayern Munich Arsene Wenger