Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Sami Khedira and Major January Rumours

Arsene Wenger is a manager who’s typically been a little cautious when it comes to spending his transfer budget.

Admittedly, the Gunners have sanctioned major outlays to secure players like Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez recently, but during his 18-year tenure, the Frenchman’s best signings—the likes of Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Robin van Persie—have been financial feats of sheer genius.

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With the Gunners blowing hot and cold again this season, the longstanding manager at the Emirates will already be looking to January. And with clubs reluctant to sell their major assets in the mid-season window, Wenger may have to move for bargain buys again.

And according to former Manchester United forward Dwight Yorke, he’s already conducted some shrewd business in the signing of Danny Welbeck, per James Robson of the Manchester Evening News:

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£16m—that’s a disgrace. When Lallana and Shaw have gone for £25m and £27m, that’s pathetic.

That’s why I cannot understand the market. He had to be a loan deal—especially with Falcao not signing permanently.

You could let Danny Welbeck go on a year’s loan, get some money and have that option. He’s worth more than £16m in today’s market. Shaw and Lallana—they’re worth that much more than Danny Welbeck?

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With Sami Khedira’s contract running down at Real Madrid, Wenger is reportedly keen to acquire his services for the second half of the season in another deal that’d represent magnificent value for money. In addition, Edinson Cavani—a player who’s long been linked with the Gunners—has also been touted for a move away from his current club.

Here’s the very latest on both potential transfers. 

Arsenal Strike Deal For Sami Khedira, Say Reports

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The Gunners’ perpetual defensive issues at the base of their midfield could finally be alleviated, with reports suggesting the club have struck a deal to sign the German international. 

According to reports in Spain (h/t Metro), Khedira said yes to a switch to the Emirates in January, with a transfer fee unlikely to be a problem and Madrid keen to sell.

The 27-year-old is in the final year of his contract with the European Champions, meaning Carlo Ancelotti could well opt for a cut-price deal in January to recoup some cash for the player.

Here’s why Arsenal are so keen on the midfielder:

If Wenger is able to pull this one off, it’d be a major coup for the north London outfit.

Khedira has a myriad attributes that this Arsenal midfield have a major dearth of. He’s eminently energetic, ferocious in the tackle and defensively switched on. In addition, he’s rarely profligate in possession; a quality which would undoubtedly appeal to the French boss.

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Despite the sales of Xabi Alonso and Angel Di Maria, the former Stuttgart man has been unable to nail down a spot in Los Blancos’ midfield, and the perpetual speculation that lingered throughout the summer has subsequently continued into the season itself.

But German football expert Jan Aage Fjortoft insists Real are keen to extend Khedira’s stay:

Ultimately, you suspect this one will come down to the player. He can either stay with Real Madrid and remain something of a peripheral figure but still win a plethora of major honours, or he can go to Arsenal, take up a new challenge and try to facilitate their charge to the pinnacle of domestic and European competition.

Edinson Cavani Could Leave PSG, Says Club Legend

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Former Paris Saint-Germain star Jerome Rothen has put Premier League clubs on red alert after declaring that the Uruguayan forward won’t be at the Parc des Princes for the long-term.

Speaking with Le 10 Sport (h/t Liam Prenderville of The Mirror), Rothen stated that while Cavani can still flourish in the French capital, he doesn’t see him as a player who’ll be around for much longer:

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Cavani can still succeed in Paris, but his performances will be more or less the same. Everything depends on the tactical choices of Laurent Blanc. However, I can't see him staying long-term in Paris.

If he reiterates his desire to leave, the club will not keep him. Especially if he has the same performances as last year - the directors won't necessarily be satisfied.

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CHRISTOPHE ENA/Associated Press

According to Prenderville’s piece, Wenger is huge a fan of the 27-year-old, who has yet to catch fire with the French champions after a big-money move from Napoli.

With Zlatan Ibrahimovic occupying the centre-forward berth in Laurent Blanc’s preferred 4-3-3 system, Cavani has spent a lot of time out on the right flank.

It’s a position he’s not really suited to, and although he always applies himself with endeavour and industry, you suspect he'll be desperate to lead the line.

Admittedly, watching Cavani against Barcelona in midweek as a central striker, The Guardian’s Sid Lowe didn’t see what all the fuss is about:

But as a regular centre-forward he’d thrive, as we can see here from his Napoli days: 

If PSG are keen to offload Cavani, Wenger could pick the player up for a relatively economical premium. And although he’s spent big on Welbeck and has Olivier Giroud to come back into the squad eventually, the Uruguayan is a bracket above both of the aforementioned strikers if played in his preferred role.