Arsenal Transfer News: Sami Khedira Lowers Wage Demands to Force Madrid Exit

Arsenal may finally be getting somewhere with long-term defensive midfield target Sami Khedira, as the Real Madrid player has reportedly reduced his wage demands in order to secure a move to the Gunners.

Arsene Wenger has long been without a bona fide defensive force in the centre of midfield, much to the detriment of his side.

Khedira is exactly the type of player needed at the Emirates, and Corriere dello Sport (h/t Metro) reports that the German international is attempting to force a January move through by lowering his wage demands to £80,000 a week. 

It had previously been reported when Arsenal were attempting to sign the World Cup winner in the summer that Khedira wanted £200,000 a week, a request which Arsenal baulked at, per Goal.com.

However, it remains to be seen whether Real will be prepared to let the 27-year-old go in January.

Boss Carlo Ancelotti has previously stated he would not be allowed to leave until next summer, when his contract expires, per Charles Perrin in the Daily Express:

"We have until June to reach an agreement with him," he said. "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."

If Real wait until Khedira's contract expires before letting him go, they will not recoup any money. Therefore, Arsenal may be able to snap him up in January if they are prepared to pay a decent price, with Pete Jenson in the Daily Mail suggesting Los Blancos would accept a bid of around £10 million.

With that being said, the Gunners may face some stiff competition for Khedira's signature if he has indeed lowered his demands. BeIN Sports' Tancredi Palmeri reports that Chelsea's interest previously cooled because of the German's wage requests:

If the Blues do renew their interest, Wenger must do his best to fight them off. Khedira could be absolutely vital to the Gunners' prospects this season, per the Daily Mirror's Oliver Holt:

At present, Arsenal only have the unconvincing pairing of Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini as options in the deep-lying midfield role that Khedira fills so well.

Khedira would bring a steel and drive to Arsenal's midfield that has arguably been lacking in Wenger's sides since the days of Patrick Vieira.

Geert Vanden Wijngaert/Associated Press

The Gunners are so often exposed in front of their back four as they do not have a player who can adequately control play. Khedira could fill that role as well as bringing his excellent range of passing, which would release Arsenal's array of attacking talent.

The team's pursuit of Khedira has been rumbling on so long that it feels as though a deal will never be struck, but there is certainly cause for optimism if he has indeed reduced his own wage demands.