Sami Khedira Transfer Rumours: Latest News and Speculation on Real Madrid Star

Sami Khedira is at the centre of one of the major transfer sagas of the January window, as time ticks down on his Real Madrid contract.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Manchester United have all been linked to the Germany midfielder, whose future may get decided over the next month.

Continue for updates.

Friday, Jan. 9

Khedira Sale Ruled Out

Carlo Ancelotti appears to be banking on the services of Khedira for at least another six months, after he cited the German's availability as a reason not to sign Lucas Silva, per ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan:

Monday, Dec. 29

Ancelotti Doesn't Expect Khedira Arsenal Deal

Carlo Ancelotti has offered the latest on Khedira, insisting he has no expectation of a January departure for the industrious midfielder despite talk of a switch to Arsenal, per Carlos Forjanes of AS:

"

 I’ve heard nothing, they’re just rumours. He’s our player, at least until June 30th.

"

Friday, Dec. 5

Khedira Admits to Uncertain Future

The player himself has rarely spoken on the topic of his Madrid future, but Khedira confessed at a charity fund-raiser that even he doesn't know where he'll be next season. Marca provides the quotes:

"

Everyone knows my contract is up in June. I have a smooth relationship with the club. I'm very happy in Madrid and I'm not reluctant to stay. I haven't had any contact with other clubs. I'm intrigued about my future myself.

"

Friday, Nov. 21

Bayern Deny Khedira Deal

Thursday's reports that Khedira has signed a pre-contract agreement with Bayern Munich have been rubbished by the Bundesliga champions. AS quotes Bayern’s sporting director Markus Horwick saying: "These rumours are zero percent real.”

Carlo Ancelotti added during Friday's presser:

Thursday, Nov. 20

Mertesacker Reveals Khedira Contact

Per Mertesacker has every right to demand an agent's fee if Arsenal eventually sign Khedira, after revealing he has encouraged the midfielder to move to the Emirates.

Khedira's contract is winding down at Real Madrid, and Mertesacker revealed, per Jamie Sanderson of Metro:

"

I’m up for more quality Germans joining the club.

[Mesut] Ozil and I spoke to Khedira a few times about joining Arsenal. His contract is up next summer.

"

Carlo Ancelotti, meanwhile, has moved to silence the latest reports surrounding Khedira, which claim the German will not be offered a new contract by Real Madrid.

Spanish radio station Cadena Ser reported that Khedira was being forced out of the club, per Aaron Flanagan of the Daily Mirror, but AS quotes Ancelotti telling Spanish national radio:

"

The club want him to sign a new deal. We see him as a serious, reliable, professional player.

"

However, a different radio station, El Larguero, believes Khedira has already agreed to join Bayern Munich, per AS:

Thursday, Nov. 13

Khedira Speaks Out on Future

Sami Khedira has offered rare comment on his future at Real Madrid, hinting he will stay with the Spanish giants despite links to Arsenal, Chelsea and Bayern Munich. Stefan Coerts of Goal.com quotes the midfielder saying to Kicker:

"

There have not been talks with any other teams.

I have never even considered leaving. And that has not changed as of yet.

Real Madrid are a great team. There is not really a reason for me to say that I want to leave or have to leave.

"

Tuesday, Nov. 11

Ancelotti Predicts Khedira Stay

Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has predicted Khedira will eventually stay at the Bernabeu, despite ongoing links to Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Bayern Munich. He told radio show Al Primer Toque, per Enrico Passarella of gianlucadimarzio.com:

"

There are hints indicating that he could leave, but I think that he wants to stay here.

"

Friday, Oct. 31

Manchester United Money to Make the Difference

Manchester United are set to offer Sami Khedira a significant contract in order to steal a march on rival suitors Arsenal for the Real Madrid man.

Metro provides the latest, picking up on a report from Spanish outlet Fichajes:

"

Arsenal had looked certain to bag Khedira in the new year, with the Gunners already said to have agreed terms with him on a switch.

But now the Spanish media says United are now preparing a ‘significant’ contract offer to put them ahead in the race.

 

"

Tuesday, Oct. 21

Mass Interest in Khedira

Sami Khedira's future is set to dominate the January transfer window. The Real Madrid star, who has struggled with injuries and a lack of playing time across the past year, is destined to exit the Bernabeu by the time next season arrives, according to reports.

Premier League teams Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have been continually linked with signing the German midfielder, per Bruce Archer of the Daily Star. Archer suggested the Red Devils will offer £200,000 per week to confirm Khedira's arrival, but it seems United could face competition from AC Milan.

Adriano Galliani, CEO at the San Siro, recently acknowledged the Italian club's interest in signing the World Cup winner.

"Khedira? He'd be a good acquisition but he earns a lot, he's an important player and it's not sure whether he'll renew with Real Madrid or not, he asks for very high wages," said Galliani, per Gianluca Di Marzio of Sky Italia.

Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images

It's important to acknowledge Galliani's mention of "very high wages." Anthony Chapman of the Express believes United could offer £5.5 million per year for the player, a figure Milan wouldn't be able to cope with at this moment in time.

It seems Khedira's desire will be significant, particularly if Madrid fend off any January bids and let him leave for free during the summer.

Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti recently suggested the European champions will do all they can to extend Khedira's stay. "We have until June to reach an agreement with him," said the Italian, per Simon Johnson of the London Evening Standard. "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."

Spanish football expert Guillem Balague believes Chelsea could be the most viable destination for Khedira:

While there's no doubt a winter transfer fee would be cheap—it certainly wouldn't match up to Khedira's valuation—each of the potential suitors may prefer to negotiate directly with the player at the end of the campaign. This way, Khedira will likely receive higher wages and money wouldn't need to exchange hands between his old and new clubs.

It would also be wise to monitor the 27-year-old's fitness for an extended period of time. Khedira missed much of last season due to a serious knee injury. While he performed well at the World Cup, he was forced to sit out of the final after suffering another injury in the warm up. This led to surgery and the player missing the start of the La Liga season.

Any January bidders would certainly gain an advantage when trying to snap him up, but right now, gambling on Khedira's fitness is a risk. It's likely Ancelotti will utilise him solely in a holding midfield role now Xabi Alonso has exited, but it's the amount of time spent on the bench that is likely to dictate whether or not Khedira leaves.

Martin Rose/Getty Images

He is a well-rounded player, someone who can contribute across the pitch and make a difference with subtle moments of play. Khedira is at his best when striding forward, however, a feat that he'll need to be 100 percent fit to carry out.

This kind of driving power from deep is something United and Arsenal lack most out of the aforementioned clubs, emphasising their need to carefully consider a future attempt at signing the player. Khedira could well have his choice of destination—particularly if massive wages aren't vital—so will need to think carefully before committing to a move which could coincide with the peak of his career.