Arsenal
Wenger Hoping To Use Secret Weapon To Land Chelsea Target In €29m Deal
Arsenal are lining-up a €29m bid for Sami Khedira with Arsene Wenger hoping to use Mesut Ozil to persuade the player to opt for the Emirates over Chelsea
As we approach the opening of the summer window clubs will be intensifying their efforts in the transfer market so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip. Today, Arsenal step up their pursuit of Sami Khedira.
Arsenal are lining-up a €29m bid for Sami Khedira with Arsene Wenger hoping to use Mesut Ozil to help persuade the Real Madrid man to opt for a switch to the Emirates over long-term admirers Chelsea, according to reports today.
Khedira is expected to leave Madrid this summer after reportedly being told by boss Carlo Ancelotti that he’s no longer a automatic first choice and with just one year remaining on his contract and no extension being agreed as yet, the Spanish giants are keen to cash in rather than risk losing him for free next summer.
The German international was a vital part of the Madrid side for the first three-and-a-half years he was at the club but a serious knee injury saw him miss practically the entire second half of last season, and in his absence Luka Modric shone alongside Xabi Alonso in midfield.
So with the 27-year-old seemingly on the market, a whole host of top clubs have been linked with his signature, and Arsenal and Chelsea are among those who are understood to be interested in luring him to the Premier League.
Blues boss Jose Mourinho is on the look out for a defensive midfielder to replace David Luiz after he was sold to PSG last month and the Portuguese coach is believed to be keen on being reunited with Khedira after being the one to sign him for Madrid back in 2010.
However, Arsene Wenger is also looking to bring in a long-term replacement for Mikel Arteta this summer and the Independent are reporting that the Gunners boss is set to steal a march on his rival by making a €29m (£23m) bid for the German midfielder and the French boss has an ace up his sleeve that he feels could sway the deal in his favour.
The newspaper states that Wenger hopes Mesut Ozil’s close friendship with Khedira will be enough to persuade the player to opt for a switch to the Emirates over Stamford Bridge, with the pair remaining close following their time together in Spain and in the German national team.
READ MORE –> Arsenal transfer news | Chelsea transfer news
It remains to be seen how Chelsea will respond if, as suggested, Arsenal step up their interest with a formal bid, but there’s little doubt Khedira would be an excellent purchase for either of the London duo. A fee of around £23m would be a reasonable price for a player of his quality given he’s entering the final 12 months of his deal, but it’s unclear whether that offer would be enough to persuade Madrid in to a sale.
