Arsenal add Sami Khedira to transfer wish list as Unai Emery plots Champions League return

Khedira is on the market as Juventus attempt to balance the books following the arrivals of Matthijs de Ligt, Cristian Romero, Luca Pellegrini and Merih Demiral.

The Serie A champions have also landed midfielders Aaron Ramsey and Adrien Rabiot on free transfers, further squeezing Khedira out.

The 32-year-old, part of Germany’s 2014 World Cup winning squad, has enjoyed a storied career at the top of the game.

And Tutto Mercato Web reckon Arsenal are looking to get him on board as they plot a return to the Champions League.

Arsenal have not played in Europe’s premier club competition since the 2016/17 campaign, when they reached the round of 16.

And Unai Emery is eager to take them back there, with the Gunners feeling the financial pinch of not playing in the tournament.

Khedira would provide an older, more experienced foil alongside the tenacious youth of Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi.

But Arsenal have a fight on their hands to tempt the former Stuttgart and Real Madrid ace to head to north London.

Khedira, who won the Champions League with Real in 2014, is being chased by Nuno Espirito Santo’s ambitious Wolves.

Fiorentina, meanwhile, are eager to keep him in Italy and Valencia want to take him to Spain this summer.

Tutto Mercato Web reckon Valencia are the least likely destination for Khedira, who started his career at TV Oeffingen.

However, the prospect of playing Champions League football with the La Liga giants might entice him to head to the Mestalla.

Arsenal have already boosted their midfield ranks ahead of next season by landing Dani Ceballos on loan from Real.

Ceballos, though, is eyeing a return to the Bernabeu and the 22-year-old is unlikely to be a permanent fixture at the Emirates.

News of Arsenal’s interest in Khedira comes as Emery seems set to follow the captures of Ceballos, William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli by signing Nicolas Pepe.

Arsenal have agreed a £72m fee with Lille for the forward, who Liverpool and Manchester United are understood to have tracked.

source: express.co.uk