Arsenal Transfer News: Sami Khedira Contract Blow, Wonderkid Dennis Praet Eyed

Carlo Ancelotti has given Sami Khedira a vote of confidence that will surely see Arsenal's chances of signing the Real Madrid man diminish, but the Gunners have high hopes of luring Belgian wonderkid Dennis Praet.

Khedira has been a constant target for Arsene Wenger as he heads into the final six months of his Bernabeu deal, but speaking on radio programme Radiogaceta de los Deportes (h/t Marca), Ancelotti said: "The club want him to sign a new deal. We see him as a serious, reliable, professional player."

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With his deal expiring next summer, interest in 2014 World Cup winner Khedira has been high and speculation had previously hinted Real would not offer their star an extension.

Spanish radio station Cadena Ser (h/t Mirror's Aaron Flanagan) reported that the midfielder's agent had asked to open talks regarding a new contract but was rebuffed. However, Ancelotti's recent comments would dismiss such rumours.

With the arrival of compatriot Toni Kroos from Bayern Munich over the summer, competition in Los Blancos' midfield is as high as ever, despite the exit of Xabi Alonso in the opposite direction.

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Gunners defender Per Mertesacker has opened up about his hopes to see international team-mate Khedira join the Emirates Stadium's burgeoning German contingent, per Metro's James Sanderson:

"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."

In addition to Mertesacker and Ozil, Wenger also has Serge Gnabry, Lukas Podolski and Berlin-born Gedion Zelalem under his command, a growing group from the world's current champions.

Ancelotti may leave his Arsenal counterpart disappointed in the hunt for Khedira, but Wenger will look upon Anderlecht visionary Dennis Praet as a more realistic prospect.

The 20-year-old is also out of contract next summer, and his agent Jacques Lichtenstein has been quoted telling Belgian newspaper Sport Voetbal (h/t Mirror's Flanagan) that his time at Anderlecht may be up:

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What could he learn from another season in Belgium after several campaigns at European level and having contributed to three consecutive league titles? Clubs like Valencia, Liverpool, Arsenal and Atletico Madrid are all interesting but Dynamo Kiev are not.

Dennis should go to a team where they play good football. He is not far from the level of a club like Arsenal, if they could give him a year's adjustment period.

"

Wenger has based a career around the moulding of youngsters into top-class professionals, and while mega-money deals for Ozil and Alexis Sanchez suggest a change in tack at Arsenal, his affinity for youth potential remains.

In that market, Praet sits among the most appetising possibilities, and the fact Anderlecht's starlet would be available for free next summer merely makes his an all the more intriguing deal. Per the Belgian Waffle, he made his international debut against Iceland last week:

Geert Vanden Wijngaert/Associated Press

Wenger has had the opportunity to examine Praet's talents firsthand after the playmaker started in all four of Anderlecht's Champions League games to date this season.

He assisted Andy Najar to open the scoring in the 2-1 home defeat against Arsenal, and Wenger is sure to have taken note of a talent who hurt his side.

Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe recently dissected Arsenal's attacking midfield and where it needs to change, a conundrum in which Praet could have a hand:

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Dennis Praet makes his debut for Belgium. Replacing Benteke.

— The Belgian Waffle (@TheBelgianWffle) November 12, 2014"

However, Praet would be arriving in a section of the Gunners' squad already stacked with potential, although passing up on such an opportunity may not be considered the logical route.

As one of Europe's hottest prospects, the north Londoners are sure to have competition in luring his services to their shores, but this gives Arsenal the chance to show they can still contend with continental titans for the best talents.