A move for Sami Khedira appeared to be off the cards after many media outlets suggested a deal was now off the cards due to the Germans wage demands. In the last week though, a deal appears to be back on. Arsene Wenger and Sami Khedira’s agent were both quizzed on Arsenal interest and both refused to comment – sparking speculation that a deal may well be on the cards.
Earlier this week Marca claimed that Khedira was in talks with Bayern Munich. His agent Neubauer responded by telling German media: “There have been no talks with Bayern,”. His agent was then pressed on talks with Arsenal to which he responded: “If I would do it constantly (answer questions), I would no longer have time to work,”.
Arsene Wenger was also keen to avoid questioning on Khedira, despite being happy to rule out other transfer targets like Juan Quintero. When asked on Khedira he responded: “I don’t want to give you any names, we are not close to signing anybody at the moment.’ Despite that, the Frenchman went on to deny any interest in Mario Balotelli and Juan Quintero.
Khedira has just one year remaining on his current contract, and reports in Spain suggested that he turned down an extension offer from the Champions League holders last month. It is thought that Arsenal and Madrid have already reached an agreement of £20million (€25million), but personal terms are yet to be finalised.
Sami Khedira will add top-level experience to the midfield and bring a whole new level of power that the team has been lacking since Vieira. Watching him destroy the Brazilian midfield in that 7-1 mauling proved just how valuable he would be in big games for the Gunners.
Read: What would Khedira add to Arsenal’s midfield?
Khedira’s game is built around his powerful frame and his huge presence alone would create a new dimension in Arsenal’s midfield. He’s also very energetic. He can press and pass well, but again, is not as tidy as the normal Arsenal midfielder. He will create room for others, scare opponents and be strong and accurate in the tackle. Wenger had opted to covert Arteta to a defensive midfielder and sign Flamini rather than bring in someone of Khedira’s ilk, but now he has identified the need for such a player, after watching our midfield get bullied in the big games this season.