Madrid slam door on Khedira’s January transfer to Arsenal

If Arsene Wenger is determined to finally sign a top class defensive midfielder to strengthen his Arsenal squad in January, then it looks like the Frenchman will have to keep looking. Assuming that the recent Arsenal transfer rumours suggesting that Sami Khedira would be the player coming to join the Gunners that is.

It was rumoured that Wenger had already reached an agreement with the Germany international over the personal terms of his transfer and that Mesut Ozil and Per Mertesacker had convinced the central midfielder to snub any attempts by Jose Mourinho and Chelsea to hijack the deal.

So with Khedira able to leave Real Madrid on a free transfer next summer, it was thought that Wenger merely had to reach an agreement with his La Liga club over a nominal fee, no more than £10 million, to bring him to north London in January.

Those hopes have now been dashed, however, according to an Evening Standard report. The Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has categorically stated that Khedira would not be leaving in January, even if he still refuses to sign a contract extension, whcih they still apparently hope that he will.

Ancelotti said, “We have until June to reach an agreement with him. If he wants to sign an extension, the club will renew him. If not, he will leave the team at the end of the season.

“Khedira has come back really well, he trained with the squad and he’s ready to play. Of course he’s not in optimal condition after missing the last 40 days, but he’s an important player for us.”

The Italian coach has a funny way of showing it, giving the player just two sub appearances all season. But if they really are determined, there is not much Arsenal can do other than wait until summer or find another transfer target. But who?