Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Sami Khedira Rumours, Alex Song Reveals Snub

Arsenal have seemingly forever been linked with Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira, and having missed out on him in the summer, more rumours ahead of the January transfer window were always likely.

However, the most recent reports spell bad news for Arsenal fans hoping to see the German defensive midfielder make the switch to the Emirates, as Khedira now seemingly wants to stay at the Bernabeu.

His current Real contract runs out in the summer and talks over a new deal had stalled, but he has recently expressed his desire to stay at the Bernabeu despite limited playing time this season, per Stuttgarter Nachrichten (h/t Ben Burrows in the Mirror):

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If we can reach a solution, I’ll be very happy. I'm confident that soon I will get more of a chance to play. There are other players in my position but that competition is healthy.

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This is something of a blow for Arsene Wenger and his Arsenal side, as it is abundantly clear that they are missing true composure and steel in the deep-lying midfielder role, with Mathieu Flamini currently underwhelming in the position, per Squawka's Nic English:

Khedira could bring a level of control and protection to a defensive unit so often cut open by opposition breaks and he also has the distribution skills to start attacks for the Gunners' fine attacking force.

However, it may be a struggle for Arsenal to sign the World Cup winner now if he is indeed open to staying at Real.

According to Janusz Michallik, talking to B/R UK's Ryan Bailey below, missing out on Khedira in January may not be the worst thing, with Premier League experience a necessity for any Arsenal purchase:

However, what is in no doubt is that the Gunners' current options in the defensive midfielder role are not good enough for a team supposedly challenging for titles, and they need to strengthen soon.

A former Arsenal midfielder, Alex Song, has revealed that he wanted to return to the Emirates in the summer, but was rejected ahead of making a loan move to West Ham from Barcelona.

Julian Finney/Getty Images

The Cameroon international—who switched to the Camp Nou from Arsenal in 2012—has been enjoying a successful season with the Hammers but says he initially looked to move back to his former club, per L'Equipe (h/t Metro's Will Giles): "I would have liked to come back [to Arsenal], but they didn’t want me. That’s life. I’m not mad at them."

Considering his performances so far this season—he has made 13 appearances for West Ham in the Premier League, where they currently lie sixth per WhoScored.com—Arsenal could well have benefited from Song's presence in the side.

Indeed, he has been highly influential on many occasions for West Ham this term as they have enjoyed an unexpectedly high-flying season with Song controlling the midfield with great aplomb, per talkSPORT's Ian Abrahams:

While Wenger can hardly be blamed for turning Song down in the summer, considering his largely indifferent time at Barca, West Ham have benefited hugely in an area where Arsenal are struggling.

Wenger and the Arsenal hierarchy really need to make defensive additions to their squad in January and again in the summer as they have been short once again at the back and lack a genuinely solid spine.

While they now lie fifth in the Premier League and will likely claim a Champions League spot once again come the end of the season, Arsenal are still a long way off being title challengers and, along with improvement from the current squad, they could really do with a ball-winner in midfield.