Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Sami Khedira and Arsene Wenger's January Plans

Sami Khedira is allegedly making moves of his own in order to seal a move to Arsenal in 2015, but the Gunners still face a task in convincing Real Madrid to let their man leave the Bernabeu.

The 2014 World Cup winner is but one of the previously linked names popping back up on Arsenal's radar of late, while the club also have a new interest to consider this January.

Arsenal's disappointing start to the season has left the club in need of change, but only time will tell if Arsene Wenger decides to see that change come about in the winter transfer market.

Sami Khedira

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Real's Khedira has dropped his wage demands from well over the £100,000-a-week mark to a much more manageable £80,000-a-week in order to help Arsenal afford his signature.

That's according to Charles Perrin of the Express, who quoted Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti as hinting earlier in the year that the European champions could hold onto the midfielder until his contract expires next summer:

"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 was fiercely linked with the north London switch over the summer, but it was supposed his extravagant salary demands were key in deciding why the move never came to pass.

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Having been injured for the majority of the 2014-15 campaign thus far, there isn't much evidence to suggest what form the anchor is currently in, but Arsenal will be well familiar with the box-to-box potential he'd supply.

An agreement to lower his financial expectations would show a genuine urge to join Wenger's cause on his part. The German could very well be the tough-tackling, versatile presence Arsenal have been lacking for some time now.

Antonio Rudiger

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Another star eager to fight under the Arsenal banner is Stuttgart defender Antonio Rudiger, who is ignoring all Chelsea interest to focus on his north London priorities.

Speaking to German newspaper Bild (h/t Charles Perrin of the Express) this week, Rudiger spoke affectionately of the Gunners, saying:

"I have always dreamed of the Premier League. I have been following Arsenal since the days of Henry and Bergkamp. I watch videos of Arsenal all the time on YouTube and I often wear the current Alexis Sanchez shirt. My heart beats for Arsenal."

It's a strangely candid and unabashed confession from a player contracted to his Bundesliga club until 2017.

Despite his plaudits, ESPN's Miguel Delaney recently criticised the defender for his performance in a Euro 2016 qualifier against the Republic of Ireland:

It's encouraging to hear Rudiger is so eager to play at the Emirates Stadium, and Wenger's need for a centre-back alternative may yet see the club take him up on his interest.

Per Squawka, Rudiger has won 59 percent of all duels this season, including 35 of an attempted 49 headed duels in Bundesliga competition.