With the January transfer window now open for business clubs will be working hard to try and strengthen their squad for the second half of the season, so we’ll keep you up-to-date with all the latest news, gossip and rumours. Today, Julian Draxler is understood to have been shown around Arsenal’s training ground.

German starlet Julian Draxler was left impressed after being shown around Arsenal’s training facilities ahead of a potential €45m summer move, according to the Mirror.

The 20-year-old is considered as one of the most sought-after young players in Europe after breaking in to the Schalke first team two years ago and has since become a regular in Joachim Low’s senior German international team set up.

His impressive displays for both club and country have caught the attention of several top European clubs with reports in the summer claiming that Arsenal and Chelsea tried to lure him to the Premier League before he eventually opted to remains with Schalke in fear a move would jeopardise his chance of featuring at the 2014 World Cup.

However, the Mirror claim the Gunners are now in pole position to sign the talented attacker in the summer after he was left impressed following a tour of the clubs training facilities at London Colney.

German pundit and agent, Jan Aage Fjortoft – you used to be a professional footballer with Middlesbrough – has also claimed that Arsenal remain favourites to sign Draxler with the north Londoners German contingent seemingly playing their part in luring him to the Emirates.

Arsenal still favourite to get Draxler (Clause: summers-45 mill euro)

– Impressed by Arsenal training ground

– German players #afc crucial — Jan Aage Fjortoft (@JanAageFjortoft) January 5, 2014

The player has also recently hinted he could make a move to Arsenal after admitting he has spoken with German team-mates Mesut Ozil and Per Mertesacker about life in London, whilst also praising Arsene Wenger’s team’s playing style:

“I have always said English teams are very big clubs and Arsenal is of course one of them. “Of course I sometimes speak to Mesut or Per about the team, about the club, and they always have good words and they tell me nice things. You never know what happens in the summer but Arsenal is a very, very nice team.” “They always have very young players, they play attractive football and that’s what I like.” [source: Mirror]

Arsenal proved with the signing of Mesut Ozil in the summer they are now ready to pay big-money to sign the top talent and they will need to dig deep once again if they want to land Draxler, with the newspaper stating he has a €45m (£37.5m) buy-out clause in his current contract with Schalke.

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The bookmakers have Arsenal as favourites to sign Draxler with the latest odds on Willian Hill offering 4/1 that the German attacker will end up at the Emirates. Obviously things can change very quickly in football but I’m sure Gunners’ fans would be delighted if the youngster makes his way to North London as he’s one of the hottest prospects in European football right now.

Do Arsenal supporters rate Draxler? Do Chelsea fans think their club should try and sign him? Share your views below.