Sami Khedira to Arsenal? Arsene Wenger reveals Gunners are still in the market for defensive midfielder

The transfer window closes on 1 September

James Orr
Friday 22 August 2014 09:27 BST
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Arsene Wenger pictured during the 0-0 draw with Besiktas
Arsene Wenger pictured during the 0-0 draw with Besiktas

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that he is still in the market for a defensive midfielder, with 11 days remaining in the transfer window.

Captain Mikel Arteta suffered an ankle injury in the Gunners 0-0 draw with Besiktas on Tuesday, and Wenger has admitted that if he is ruled out for a long time, his club will have to be "creative" in the window.

The Gunners have been linked with bids for Real Madrid's Sami Khedira and Sporting Lisbon's William Carvalho this summer, and Wenger said today that he is considering a move for a holding midfielder.

Asked if he could sign a new midfielder before the end of August, Wenger told reporters: "We are not against that, no.

"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. 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.

"I can't tell you how likely I am, I just said to you I am open to doing it. It has to be linked with the needed quality. I tell you something, if you ask today 20 top clubs in the world what they look for, they all look for the same positions. That means it is not necessarily out there."

Khedira has just one year remaining on his contract, with reports in Spain suggesting that Real are desperate to sell the 27-year-old rather than lose him on a free next summer.

The German World Cup winner was omitted from the Real squad for their 1-1 first-leg Supercup draw with Atletico Madrid.

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