Manchester United transfer news: Louis van Gaal joins Arsenal and Chelsea in the race for Sami Khedira

German midfielder has told Real Madrid he wants to leave the club

Manchester United have entered the race to join unhappy Real Madrid star Sami Khedira.

The German midfielder yesterday told Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti that he wanted to leave the Spanish giants this summer, and has rejected their latest contract offer.

United boss Louis van Gaal will now focus his efforts on signing the 27-year-old, according to the Evening Standard.

Arsene Wenger told reporters that he is “not against” buying a new midfielder.

“We are like you, we listen to the names, sometimes I look who we buy in the media but at the moment as I told you we are not in an emergency case,” he said.

“We have the players we want but we are open as well to any opportunity until the end of the transfer window, who can strengthen our defensive department in quality and number.

Khedira has just a year left on his current contract and the European champions will not match his £200,000-a-week wage demands.

"He's not asked to go," said Ancelotti. "He's rejected an offer to renew, but has a year of contract. We'll see what happens."

Both Arsenal and Chelsea — whose manager, Jose Mourinho, has a good relationship with Khedira from their time in Madrid — have shown an interest but it is understood that United have moved to the front of the queue.

Unlike the Gunners, United manager Louis van Gaal would be prepared to meet Khedira’s salary requirements and the fee of about £12million — relatively low because the Germany midfielder could go for free next summer — would be no trouble to the Old Trafford club.

Arsenal were heavily linked with Khedira earlier in the summer and will be able to offer Champions League football if they come through their play-off with Besiktas but Arsene Wenger is unlikely to make Khedira a priority unless the player is willing to accept a lower weekly wage.