Arsenal Transfer News: Christoph Kramer Bid Planned as Sami Khedira Hope Fades

Arsenal’s attempts to add some fortitude to the base of their intricate midfield could see them turn to a Germany international. Unfortunately for those Gunners supporters hoping for a move for Real Madrid’s Sami Khedira, that man could well turn out to be Borussia Monchengladbach’s Christoph Kramer.

David Ramos/Getty Images

That’s according to Alex Harris of the Daily Star, who claims Arsene Wenger is "considering a £20m move" for the 23-year-old Kramer, who is currently in the second year of a two-season loan deal with Borussia from Bayer Leverkusen.

Here are the kind of attributes that have seen Kramer emerge as one of the Bundesliga’s most coveted midfield players:

While Kramer’s name may not carry the same clout as the experienced, shrewd Khedira, he’s exactly the kind of player Arsenal need to add an underpinning staunchness to their spluttering engine room. That’s even more apparent when you consider his defensive statistics up against other players whom Wenger has deployed in the holding berth:

	Kramer	Arteta	Flamini
Appearances (Sub)	10 (1)	6 (1)	9 (1)
Passing Accuracy	86.3%	93.8%	93%
Tackles Per Game	2.8	2.3	2.7
Blocks Per Game	0.7	0.3	0.2
Interceptions Per Game	3	2	2.6

Kramer would be a younger alternative and, eventually, maybe even a better player than Khedira. The Monchengladbach man is one of the most dynamic defensive players in the Bundesliga, and after a catalogue of performances bristling with infectious endeavour last season, Kramer earned himself a surprise call-up to the German World Cup squad, culminating with a start in the final.

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

The spectacularly unfortunate incident below is often referred to when talk turns to Kramer, but it shouldn’t cloud judgement on a player who is flourishing at Monchengladbach:

Ultimately, for Wenger, the decision depends not only on whether Manchester United and Chelsea are currently a more tempting proposition for Khedira but whether he wants a long-term of short-term fix. Kramer certainly has better potential be the latter, but he’s a still a little rough around the edges.

Nonetheless, his industrious forays and ferocious tackling would give this Arsenal midfield a facet that is embarrassingly scarce at the moment.

There are plenty who feel the Gunners require an added physical edge all over the pitch, too, and those who are looking for a robust frontman to lead the line may point to French forward Andre-Pierre Gignac.

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

The Marseille man, who has netted an impressive 11 goals in 16 appearances so far this season, per WhoScored.com, hinted recently that he could be on his way out of Ligue 1 to indulge in pastures new. But after OM’s latest 1-1 draw with Lorient in Ligue 1, the player insisted that his future could be dependent on his coach, the effervescent Marcelo Bielsa, per GetFootballNewsFrance.com: "I would like to know if the coach is staying, it is an important factor in my decision regarding a contract extension. My priority remains to stay at Marseille, with my President."

Gignac is a player that has an understated appreciation of the game to match his imposing somatotype, and he would certainly afford Arsenal, who have been linked regularly with the player, per Liam Prenderville of the Daily Mirror, a different edge to their play. His 11 goals are an emphatic indicator of his shooting prowess, too, as is this stat from WhoScored.com:

But the Gunners have a player who’s stylistically comparable in Olivier Giroud. The very best strike forces on the planet have a vast array of attacking talent, and if Arsenal want to compete with Europe’s most illustrious sides, then a mobile, skilful forward would best complement the burly Giroud and the industrious Danny Welbeck.