According to the Daily Mail Arsenal have agreed personal terms with Real Madrid star, Sami Khedira. Arsenal and Khedira had been linked throughout the summer, which turned into a long protracted transfer saga that materialized into nothing. With Arsene Wenger recently speculating that the Cesc Fabregas to Chelsea deal had been completed six months prior to the signing being made official, it is not out of the realm of possibility that the same is being done with Khedira and Arsenal.
Khedira’s contract expires at the end of the season and with no indication of his contract being extended, he would be able to leave on a free transfer. Wenger would rather sign him in January for a cut price than having to compete with more clubs during the summer. This cut price still has to be agreed between the two clubs.
Khedira would prove to be an excellent addition to the Arsenal squad. He would seamlessly fit into the starting line up replacing Mikel Arteta or Mathieu Flamini, depending on who is healthy at the time. His style of play, fast paced passing with intelligence, a high motor and physicality, makes him the ideal addition to Arsenal’s midfield. Arsenal clearly lacks a physical presence in the middle of the park and he would immediately make the Arsenal squad more balanced and dangerous.
He does have an injury history; something that Arsenal is all too familiar with their own players. This may be one of the reasons that Real Madrid is choosing not to extend his contract. Khedira’s contract carries a quite high wage and Real Madrid must surely be growing tired of paying such high wages for a player who gets injured quite often.
One possible obstacle that Arsenal face is the reported interested that Chelsea has in Khedira. Jose Mourinho brought Khedira to Real Madrid, and Khedira would undoubtedly not be against rejoining his former boss. Where Khedira fits into the Chelsea squad is another discussion entirely.
Signing Khedira now seems a more feasible signing for Arsenal because Khedira has lost leverage since the summer. In the summer he had his large contract with Real Madrid, therefore he could ask clubs to match that contract. However because that contract is now coming to an end he is losing leverage and Arsenal have a better chance at signing him at a wage that fits their wage structure. The fee should also be less of an issue, as Real Madrid would rather recoup some of the money they spent on him rather than let him walk for nothing.
Although it’s unlikely a deal has been agreed already, in terms of need, contract situation, and current market value, all the signs point to Khedira leaving Real Madrid sooner rather than later. Therefore I believe that there is a 70 percent chance of this transfer going through.
