Arsenal Transfer News: Sami Khedira Boost as Real Madrid Eye Lucas Silva

Arsenal's prospects of landing Real Madrid midfield powerhouse Sami Khedira have improved. That's thanks to fresh reports linking Los Blancos to Cruzeiro defensive midfielder Lucas Silva.

The report comes form Spanish publication Marca (h/t 101 Great Goals editor Benjamin Newman):

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Marca note that Lucas Silva could replace Khedira, with the German World Cup winner being chasing by the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea.

Khedira’s future at the Bernabeu has been the subject of discussion for months now, with the German’s contract expiring at the end of the season.

Khedira has still given no indication whether he is staying or leaving when his contract expires in June, while many are reporting that the midfielder is looking for a pay day from the next contract he signs. Chelsea and Arsenal wait in the wings.

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The fact that Madrid are already seemingly courting replacements for Khedira is excellent news for the Gunners. Manager Arsene Wenger's unbalanced squad has an obvious need for a stronger, more active player at the heart of a midfield otherwise loaded with diminutive schemers.

That's exactly what Khedira represents. The Germany international is not so much a defensive-minded anchor man as he is a powerful runner who breaks up play and transitions defence to attack.

It's those skills that have the 27-year old World Cup winner firmly on the Arsenal radar this January. Daily Star reporter Nick Lustig has claimed the Gunners have even agreed personal terms for the winter transfer:

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The Germany World Cup winner, according to reports, has agreed personal terms with the Gunners over a move to the Emirates Stadium.

But Arsenal are yet to agree a fee with Madrid for the 27-year-old midfielder.

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If that deal goes through, it's one ex-Gunners creative ace Robert Pires believes would give Wenger's squad the resources to win the Premier League, per Dean Nelson of The Daily Telegraph:

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The quality is there but you need more, maybe [someone] like Yaya Toure in middle. He reminds me of Patrick Vieira, maybe they have an opportunity with Khedira. It is likely in the January window. He played very well with Germany. My advice is if he can buy Khedira he can be the [new] Vieira, more aggression in the middle. He has a lot of experience. When you play in the middle you need experience, especially when your midfield is young like Arsenal's.

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However, Pires and anxious Gunners fans, eager to see a more robust presence alongside Arsenal's many pass masters in the middle, shouldn't get too excited. It's possible that Premier League rivals Chelsea, guided by Wenger's nemesis, Jose Mourinho, could steal a march in the race for Khedira.

That's according to Daily Express reporter Anthony Chapman. He cites Madrid's possible interest in veteran goalkeeper Petr Cech, along with Mourinho's connection with Khedira from his time managing Los Merengues, as decisive factors.

However, Arsenal can offer equally strong reasons to tempt Khedira. Wenger's squad features prominent German players such as Per Mertesacker, Lukas Podolski and Mesut Ozil, the latter of whom is very close to Khedira.

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

The Gunners also have more incentive to make a deal happen. After all, they're the ones with the greater need for a player of Khedira's qualities.

Their chances of striking an agreement will no doubt hinge on Madrid's decision regarding Silva. The club's last young Brazilian midfielder, Casemiro, hardly made the grade and currently finds himself on loan at FC Porto.

Yet that is unlikely to deter manager Carlo Ancelotti from again plundering South America for one of its bright young stars. Since selling the ageing Xabi Alonso this summer, Ancelotti's squad certainly lacks a natural defensive presence in the middle. A young prospect like Silva represents the ideal means for refreshing the position.

That should leave the door open for Wenger to move decisively for Khedira and solve arguably the most obvious deficiency in his squad.