Arsenal given boost in pursuit of Real Madrid’s Sami Khedira

Posted Saturday, March 28, 2015 by squawka.com

Arsenal have been given a boost in their pursuit of Real Madrid's Sami Khedira after Schalke admitted they were unlikely to sign him, reports the Daily Express.

Khedira joined Real Madrid from Stuttgart in 2010, but he has announced he will leave the European champions when his contract expires this summer, reports The Guardian.

Schalke had been one of the club's chasing his signature, but manager Roberto Di Matteo accepts that it would be very difficult to secure his signature.

Speaking to Sport 1, the former Chelsea boss said: "What coach would not want Khedira in their team? The door here is always open for him.

"But he will be spoiled for choice and I think it will be very difficult to bring Khedira here."

Khedira has been limited to just 11 league appearances this season as a result of injury and the competition for places at the Bernabeu. He has averaged 85% pass accuracy and won 45% of his duels in La Liga this term.

The 27-year-old has made 161 appearances for Madrid in all competitions, and he has helped them to win the Champions League and a league title.

He played in five games for Germany at last summer's World Cup, though he was forced to miss their victory in the final after picking up an injury during the warm-up.

If he were to join Arsenal, he would be able to join his international teammates Mesut Ozil and Per Mertesacker at the Emirates.

Khedira has committed 1.77 fouls per 90 minutes in La Liga this season, more than any other Madrid midfielder.