Sami Khedira transfer news: Arsenal can win the Premier League if they sign Khedira in January, says Perry Groves

The former Arsenal winger believes the German midfielder can be the difference between another season of disappointment and one of glory

Staff,James Olley

Thursday 30 October 2014 16:49 GMT

Sami Khedira (Getty Images)

Sami Khedira can transform Arsenal from also-rans to Premier League champions if the Gunners sign him in January, says their former winger Perry Groves.

The World Cup-winning Germany international is out of contract with Real Madrid at the end of the season and despite manager Carlo Ancelotti insisting that negotiations regarding a new deal are ongoing, Khedira continues to be linked with a move to the Premier League.

Having expressed an interest in signing Khedira in the summer only to be put off by his wage demands, Arsene Wenger needs to find something to bridge the gap between the Gunners and rivals Chelsea and Manchester City, and Groves told the Evening Standard that he believes Khedira can be that something given the belief is he has lowered his wage demands to around £80,000-a-week in order to secure a move.

“They need to strengthen that defensive midfield area and the one that stands out in my mind is Khedira,” Groves told the Evening Standard. “He would be perfect for them.

Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

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1/17Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

Ilkay Gundogan

The Germany international is out of contract in 18 months with Borussia Dortmund, and while he is thankful for their support during a long-term injury and subsequent recovery, he will not be signing an extension. That could see the Bundesliga club allow him to leave in order to cash in on his worth, and Arsenal are believed to be preparing a £16m offer to test the German club's resolve.

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Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

Ron Vlaar

The Aston Villa captain is out of contract at the end of the season, but his impressive form at the start of this campaign helped Villa get off to a promising start. Paul Lambert remains hopeful of agreeing a new contract with Vlaar to avoid losing him on a free in the summer. The 29-year-old would bring a wealth of experience to the Gunners defence along with a certain calibre, having started all seven of the Netherlands’ World Cup matches in Brazil.

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Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

Loic Perrin

Wenger is reportedly interested in Saint Etienne captain Loic Perrin. The French defender, 29, can also play in defensive midfield and at a price of around £6m would allow Wenger to chase other, bigger name defensive options.

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Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

Virgil van Dijk

The Celtic defender has emerged as a leading candidate to join Arsenal in January with a £7m offer said to be lined up by the Gunners. Wenger’s admission that they could not add another player in the summer means that they are likely to sign a defender, and the belief is that Wenger attempted to sign Van Dijk on transfer deadline day only to fail in his last-minute pursuit.

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Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

Winston Reid

The West Ham defender has been impressive this term and would offer a cheap, if uninspiring choice at centre-back. With his contract expiring in the summer, he could be available for around £4m in January. A possible swap deal with Carl Jenkinson has also been mooted.

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Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

Mats Hummels

Borussia Dortmund’s talented centre-back is one of the most sought-after players in Europe with both Manchester United and Barcelona interested in his services. Arsenal emerged as a shock potential destination though, with the Gunners rumoured to be willing to pay up to £32m for Hummels, who has suggested that this could be his final season with Dortmund.

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Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

Morgan Schneiderlin

The Frenchman accepted that he would not be leaving Southampton in the summer and flourished as a result, with Saints flying high in the Premier League. However, Schneiderlin will look to leave the south coast club come the end of the season with Tottenham likely to be the favoured destination to link up with his former manager Mauricio Pochettino, but Arsenal could look to hijack any deal and get one over their North London rivals. Schneiderlin would suit the Gunners playing style, and he certainly has the quality to fit in the current Arsenal first-team – just look at his record over the past two seasons compared to Mikel Arteta and you’d suggest there is only one winner.

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Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

Edinson Cavani

Cavani has spoken of his desire to move to the Premier league and Arsenal have been identified as a potential destination. The Uruguayan would not come cheap, given that PSG signed him from Napoli for £53m. A January move would be difficult with PSG still in the Champions League.

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Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

Nabil Fekir

French youngster Nabil Fekir has impressed with Lyon this term, scoring goals at a decent return. His father has said that if he leaves the French side, Arsenal would be his preferred destination, despite rumours of interest from Manchester City.

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Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

Julian Draxler

Draxler was a name that was heavily linked during last season’s January transfer window, but any hope of a move appeared to be dashed when he suffered a drop in form that nearly cost him his World Cup place in the Germany squad. Despite that, Arsenal are reportedly still interested.

Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

William Carvalho

Arsenal have held talks with Sporting Lisbon before but have so far been unsuccessful in their attempts to sign the holding midfielder. It's reported that Arsene Wenger has renewed hope of landing the 22-year-old Portugal international due to Sporting Lisbon's elimination from the Champions League at the group stage and is preparing a £25m bid.

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Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

Chris Smalling

The England international was discussed by Arsenal when Thomas Vermaelen was linked with a move to Manchester United. Vermaelen went to Barcelona instead but Arsenal are thought to retain that interest in Smalling, despite some questionable performances this season.

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Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

Yohan Cabaye

Arsenal failed with an audacious £10m bid for the Frenchman last year, and he eventually returned home to join PSG in a deal worth in excess of £20m after three years with Newcastle. However, Cabaye has found himself on the fringes of the first-team in Paris, with Marco Veratti, Blaise Matuidi and Thiago Motta favoured in a three-man midfield. Arsenal are still believed to be interested in his services, and a return to the Premier League may not be that far-fetched.

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Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

Sami Khedira

Linked with just about every major club in Europe in the summer, Khedira ended up staying at Real Madrid. He's made very few appearances this term and with his contract up in the summer, the Champions League holders may opt to make a few bucks by selling the World Cup winner. Arsenal would be very keen.

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Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

Christoph Kramer

If Arsenal can't land Khedira, there is another German midfielder of interest. Christoph Kramer, who is on a long-term loan with Borussia Monchengladbach from Bayer Leverkusen has indicated his interest in moving to the Premier League. Arsenal have been linked with a £20m move.

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Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

Paulo Dybala

Arsenal have been linked with a move for Palermo striker Paulo Dybala. The 21-year-old has been banging in the goals in Serie A this term, leading to speculation he's in line for a big move. But the Palermo president has indicated he won't be allowed to leave for anything less that £31m

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Arsenal: Players linked with a move to the Emirates during the latest transfer window

Paul Pogba

The French midfielder is believed to be attracting attention from the Emirates regarding a possible £40m move, and would fill the holding role that has hindered the Gunners for years.

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“Khedira knows that role. He has the physicality and a great passing range. His attitude is good with a great winning mentality and it wouldn’t take him too long to settle because he would have his three German team-mates with him [Mesut Ozil, Per Mertesacker and Lukas Podolski].

“He would give Arsenal something different. A lot of their midfield players are very similar, very technically gifted players but Khedira will win the ball back to allow others to go and play. He’s proved he can handle life at a massive club and he could fit straight in.

“If Arsenal can get their injured players back while making sure the gap to the top doesn’t get too big with Chelsea and City then they have a chance to challenge for the title. If they can get to within six or seven points by the time the January transfer window opens and then sign Khedira, they could win it.”

Khedira is in the final year of his Real Madrid contract (Getty Images)

Arsenal are nine points behind leaders Chelsea with Wenger facing a degree of criticism over his tactical switch from 4-2-3-1 to 4-1-4-1 this season. The Gunners have lacked a holding midfielder for some time and Groves, who made 203 appearances for Arsenal in an six-year spell ending in 1992, believes the players are still struggling to adapt.

“When Arsene plays 4-1-4-1 with Santi Cazorla left and Alexis Sanchez right, they need to be more flexible,” he said. “There needs to be more movement in general play but also when it is over their side of the pitch, they need to keep their width because Arsenal are too narrow, too often.”

Perry Groves, Matt Holland and Kerry Dixon are among ex-players representing eight London clubs in the first London Legends and Supporters Event at Allianz Park on November 16. To play, visit playwithalegend.com

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