Arsenal have been linked with a move for Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira after he was spotted at the Emirates during Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat to Lyon.
However according to La Gazetta dello Sport(via Mirror), if a transfer were to happen, it will require the German to take a pay cut from his current contract.
The North London club are ready to offer Khedira a 2-year contract with a £70,000-per-week package. This would be considerably less than the £100,000-per-week that he is earning in Turin.
Although Arsenal manager Unai Emery was quick to downplay any rumors linking the club with Khedira, the presence of the midfielder at the Gunners stadium has added to the speculation. And with Juventus having signed a plethora of players this summer, it seems likely that they will be looking to sell on a few.
The competition in the Juventus midfield is going to be intense especially as a result of them bringing in both Aaron Ramsey and Adrien Rabiot. Thus, it makes sense that Khedira would be looking elsewhere to get more first-team football.
But Arsenal themselves have quite a few central midfielders of their own especially after the arrival of Dani Ceballos from Real Madrid on a loan deal. There is no guarantee that Khedira would be the first choice if he was to make a move to the Gunners.
Given how active Arsenal have been in the transfer window in recent weeks, it is possible that they will indeed be targeting Khedira. He is a player that still has a lot to offer at the highest level and there is no doubting that he will be able to strengthen the squad.
It remains to be seen how the London club would be able to convince the German to join them but if they do, it will give their Champions League aspirations an extra push. Khedira would feel right at home at Arsenal given that he has two close friends from the German national team in Per Mertesacker and Mesut Ozil and he would be playing with the latter.
We still have more than a week left in the transfer window and there might be another surprise waiting in line for the Gunners fans.
