Wolfsburg: Draxler is staying

Wolfsburg have emphatically rejected Julian Draxler's demand that he wants to leave the club. The club released a statement that said he will remain with the club this summer.

Draxler revealed that he wants to leave after just one season at the Volkswagen Arena in an interview with German newspaper "Bild", but Wolfsburg have been firm in their response.

"VfL Wolfsburg will not be selling Julian Draxler during the course of the current transfer period," the Wolfsburg statement read.

Wolfsburg's statement also referenced the release clause written into Draxler's contract, which German media is suggesting to be 75 million euros ($83.8 million). "This is reiterated by a contractual release clause agreed upon with Julian Draxler and his management, which does not come into effect until summer 2017.

"In joint discussions with Julian Draxler, VfL Wolfsburg again made it clear that they would not be granting the player’s wish to make a move. We now consider any possible uncertainties to have been eradicated and that all parties can revert back to a professional and responsible collaboration for the good of VfL Wolfsburg and, in particular, for our fans."

Disgruntled Draxler

Draxler had told "Bild" in an interview released Tuesday that he informed his club's management three weeks ago that he wanted to leave and was "surprised" that the club hadn't addressed Draxler's position publicly.

"I clearly told [Wolfsburg coach] Dieter Hecking after the European Championship that I wanted to leave Wolfsburg," Draxler said.

"The coach knew for over three weeks. It really surprised me that for weeks they talked to the media about me. I expected different, for instance that someone would approach me and ask how I see it. Before they said something publically, they should have also talked with me personally first."

Preceived promises

Draxler signed a five-year deal when he transferred from Schalke, with Wolfsburg spending a club record fee of 35 million euros ($39.3 million) on the forward. However, the German star described the move as a "spring board," claiming Wolfsburg would allow him to move to a bigger club.

"When I moved in August 2015, I was verbally assured that I could leave the club if opportunities presented themselves. Both by Hecking and from Allofs," Draxler said. "It was always clear between all the parties involved that I wanted to go to an international top club if I had the chance."

In their statement, Wolfsburg denied having made such an agreement with Draxler, saying: "VfL Wolfsburg wish to make it absolutely clear that at no time did those responsible at the club make either written nor oral commitments on the transfer of Julian Draxler within the current transfer period."

Draxler played 41 games for Wolfsburg in all competitions last season, scoring eight goals. He also featured for Germany five times at Euro 2016 in France, collecting a goal and an assist in the last 16 against Slovakia.

As part of their interview, "Bild" claimed that both English club Arsenal and Italian club Juventus were interested in acquiring Draxler. Both clubs had reporteldy inquired about the former Schalke man before he made his move to Wolfsburg.