Arsenal are ready to renew their interest in Manchester United and Chelsea target Sami Khedira after Real Madrid lowered their demands for the player by 50 per cent.
The London Metro reports how the Gunners had negotiated a £24 million fee with the Spanish giants as recently as last week, but we’re ultimately put off by the Germany international’s extravagant wage demands.
Khedira is demanding around £200,000-a-week as he looks to cash-in on his successful World Cup winning campaign over the summer.
The 27-year-old has just 12 months to run on his existing deal at the Santiago Bernabeu, and having made clear his intentions not to sign an extension Carlo Ancelotti is ready to sell.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has been credited with an interest in bringing the midfielder to the Emirates Stadium, but only if Khedira is willing to take a lower salary.
His refusal meant the possibility of a move to North London looked to be over, until the Daily Mirror revealed that Real Madrid are now willing to sell for just £12 million, so keen are they to avoid losing the player on a free transfer next summer.
Having previously agreed to pay double the asking price Arsenal could now use the spare money towards topping up Khedira’s wages, in the hope of making up the difference between the salary he wanted and what the club were willing to pay.
The latest development will come as a blow to rival suitors Manchester United and Chelsea, with it being previously reported that Arsenal is Khedira’s preferred destination.
Jose Mourinho had hoped he would get a clear run at luring the player to Stamford Bridge, with the Blues ready to pay Real Madrid’s initial asking price and match Khedira’s wage demands.
Source: GIVEMESPORT