Germany international Julian Draxler has revealed that he wants to leave VfL Wolfsburg for a top international club this summer and says he made that clear to the club following Euro 2016.
Draxler, 22, made the statements in an interview with Bild while responding to previous claims from manager Dieter Hecking that the midfielder would not be leaving the club this summer.
Hecking said: "We won't comment on every rumour, but we explicitly decreed that Julian will stay with us."
However Draxler, who joined from Bundesliga rival FC Schalke for €34 million in 2014 and signed a five-year-contract, denied those claims saying: "One could have talked to me personally before making public declarations. After the Euro 2016 I clearly said to Dieter Hecking that I want to leave Wolfsburg. The coach is aware of that for the past three weeks."
Draxler played in 35 matches across all competition for the Wolves, netting nine goals and assisting on another eight.
"I am surprised that matters regarding my [future] are being communicated in the media," Draxler said. "I expected that to go differently. For example that someone approaches me and asks me for my views instead."
Asked whether general manager Klaus Allofs approached him, Draxler responded: "We shortly texted. I talked on the phone with coach Hecking. Two days after the semifinal at the Euro I explained my point of view and expressed my wish that I want to leave the club. Now I'm back in Germany and things are being communicated via the media rather than with me in person. Now I also wanted to make myself heard."
The 22-year-old world champion started in four out of six matches at the Euro, scoring a goal and adding a lovely assist against Slovakia in the round of 16.
"When I transferred to Wolfsburg in 2015, we had a verbal agreement that I can leave the club when a possibility emerges. With Dieter Hecking as well as Klaus Allofs," Draxler said.
"It was obvious that Wolfsburg showed me a good perspective back then, but also served as stepping stone."
Wolfsburg finished eighth in the past Bundesliga campaign and is now set to miss out on European football. Because of the club's lack of representation on that stage, key players including Draxler, midfielder Luiz Gustavo and left-back Ricardo Rodriguez have all been linked with moves during the summer.
Winger Andre Schurrle and centre-back Naldo have departed to Ruhr clubs Borussia Dortmund and Schalke, respectively. Striker Max Kruse was unveiled at Werder Bremen on Tuesday.
Draxler added: "It was set between all persons involved that I could leave for an international top club when the chance presents itself. It was agreed that we would have reasonable talks, if other clubs show interest."