Sign up to the Independent's betting newsletter for the latest tips and offers Sign up to the Independent's betting newsletter
Per Mertesacker and Mesut Özil have urged Sami Khedira to join them at Arsenal as the Germany international looks increasingly likely to leave Real Madrid.
Khedira is out of contact at the end of the season, but Arsenal have been linked with a move for the World Cup winner in January in an attempt to strengthen their Premier League title challenge that is already in danger of dying out.
With Mertesacker, Özil and Lukas Podolski all international team-mates of Khedira, the Evening Standard reports that the North London club could look to use the connection to their benefit in an effort to beat Chelsea to the signing of Khedira – and even convince him to take a pay-cut.
Chelsea are preparing to offer Khedira a pre-contract in January that would see him join the Blues in the summer, but the Gunners are hopeful of getting one over their London rivals, who beat them 2-0 a fortnight ago at Stamford Bridge.
Show all 17 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.
Getty Images
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.
Getty Images
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.
Getty Images
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.
Getty Images
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.
GETTY IMAGES
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.
GETTY IMAGES
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.
Getty
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.
Getty Images
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.
Getty Images
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.
GETTY IMAGES
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.
Getty Images
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.
Getty Images
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.
Getty Images
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.
Getty Images
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
GETTY IMAGES
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.
Getty Images
But Madrid would prefer to cash-in during the January transfer window rather than let one of their star players join Chelsea for free — and would even consider accepting less than the £12million Arsenal offered last summer for the player.
That deal fell through because of Khedira’s wage demands, thought to be in excess of £150,000-a-week. But Mertesacker and Ozil have remained in contact and it is understood he would even consider relaxing his personal terms rather than miss out on an Emirates move for a second time.
Mertesacker, Ozil and Khedira join Germany's World Cup celebrations (Getty Images) Meanwhile, Arsenal have been linked with an £8million move for Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies