In what could be a boost in Arsenal’s attempt to bolster its midfield by signing German international Sami Khedira, reports have emerged that the Real Madrid midfielder is willing to reduce his wage demands in order to seal a move to the red side of North London.
Despite, the claims by Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti that the European Champions are still hoping that the midfielder would renew his contract, it is looking increasing likely that he is heading towards the exit door when his contract expires next summer especially when it considered that he turned down two contract extensions in the last few months. Having won La liga, Copa Del Rey, The Champions League, Spanish Super Cup and the UEFA Super Cup since his arrival in 2010, it seems he wants a change of scenery away from the Santiago Bernabeu.
Arsenal was close to signing him in the summer, but his wage demands amongst other things were part of the reasons why the transfer did not materialize, and the news of his reduction in his wage demands if confirmed would serve as a boost in Arsenal’s attempt to address the imbalance in its midfield.
The 27 year old’s reported wage reduction should have served as a boost to Arsenal especially with the reports that came to light in the summer that the club’s wage bill has exceeded that of Chelsea for the first time in ten years, despite the club having half the team Chelsea have.
Sami Khedira has all the attributes that Arsenal needs to address the imbalance in the middle of the park. The height, pace and physique is there. A point Arsenal legend Robert Pires alluded to.
However, Arsene Wenger was quick to point out in the summer that the German is not a defensive midfielder, but a box-box midfielder, yet the former Stuttgart midfielder is more an anchor man in midfielder than Mikel Arteta would ever be, in spite of the fact that he has been deployed there in last three seasons.
The German contingent at the Emirates could serve as a reason for pushing through with this particularly as he has past experience of playing with Mesut Ozil with Germany and Real Madrid, and that can aid Ozil’s sustained form in the long run as performance is anchored on both on and off field relationships with team mates.
The fact that the club would not have not use a transfer fee to sign him when his contract expires, should add as a bonus as a player of his status would command a huge outlay in the transfer market.
The only caveat remains his history of injuries which has seen him spent almost half his time with Real Madrid on the sidelines, no doubt he would add something that is missing in Arsenal’s midfield, yet Shad Forsythe could play a role in any move for the German international as he knows all about Sami Khedira’s medical history during his time with Germany.
