Arsenal Tranfer News: Latest Sami Khedira and Jose Luis Gaya Rumours

It's Sami Khedira time yet again for Arsenal. It turns out the transfer rumour that simply wouldn't die last summer has merely been resting ahead of the next end-of-season window.

Well, talk of Arsenal snapping up Khedira when the midfielder's Real Madrid contract expires this summer need lie dormant no longer. The Gunners are reportedly back on the case, according to talkSPORT. The report also references German newspaper Bild suggesting Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund will be in the mix.

However, Khedira has apparently already turned down the advances of one German club. He recently spoke to deny he'd already agreed to move to Germany once this season finishes, per Spanish publication AS:

In an interview with Bild (h/t ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan), Khedira amplified his answer: "[The Bayern reports] are not true," he said. "My future is still open."

Yet Corrigan also referenced Spanish radio station Cadena Ser's El Larguero show reporting Khedira is still destined for the exit door at Madrid this summer. There's a good chance Arsenal will be alerted.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has been seeking more physicality to balance his midfield for some time now. The current ranks already boast ample skill and craft.

But lightweight schemers such as Santi Cazorla, Mesut Ozil and Tomas Rosicky don't really offer the brawn needed to overcome the best in England's Premier League. Wenger needs a tough tackler but also a determined runner.

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He's recently found the former in the shape of 23-year-old Frenchman Francis Coquelin. He's provided stability and destructive instincts at the base of midfield and in front of the back four.

Khedira isn't strictly a destroyer, and he certainly isn't a natural holding player. Instead, he's at his best whenever he raids forward from deep, helping to quickly transition defence to attack.

Khedira will also chase and harry all over the pitch. His late runs into the box are always dangerous.

It's that type of energy that is missing from Arsenal's midfield. Wenger's squad needs Khedira's experience, brawn and box-to-box tendencies.

Aaron Ramsey has been filling that role. But after a magnificent campaign last season, the precocious Welshman has been inconsistent and brittle this term.

In fact, he's currently out for around two weeks with a hamstring problem, per Sky Sports. Yet while Khedira would be an excellent alternative, the Germany international has had his own share of injury problems. Actually, he's had enough to cover two players.

Real Madrid's official site reported that Khedira's latest ailment is a bicep injury. The player simply hasn't been the same since he tore his ACL back in late 2013.

Wenger would be taking an almighty risk if he pushes through a deal for Khedira this summer. However, it may be a roll of the dice worth making for an experienced winner this talented.

One deal Wenger may have real difficulty sealing is any bid to sign Valencia's exciting young defender, Jose Luis Gaya. The Gunners boss was keen on the 19-year-old during the later stages of the winter transfer window.

Daily Express' Ben Jefferson even suggested Wenger was prepared to meet the young star's £13.5 million release clause. But the left-back, who's also been coveted by La Liga giants Real Madrid, has remained in Spain.

That's just where he'll stay as long as Valencia manager Nuno Espirito Santo has any say in the matter. The Los Che gaffer recently made that clear, per Julian Burgos of AS.

"He's the same as always, he's relaxed, he's ready for tomorrow's game and motivated to be here at Valencia," Santo said. "Gaya is a Valencia player and he's very happy here. Let no one be in any doubt about that."

Arsenal remain reasonably well-stocked at left-back. Spanish veteran Nacho Monreal has supplanted brittle Englishman Kieran Gibbs.

What Wenger really needs, though, is a quick and creative young star who can make the position his own. Gaya certainly fits the bill as a potentially invaluable attacking outlet for an Arsenal team that still relies on its full-backs for width.

Yet given his squad's issues in midfield, at centre-forward and between the posts, Wenger may not be able to justify dropping close to £15 million on a full-back come the summer.

The Frenchman will already have a tough decision to make regarding Khedira. He could be an immediate asset in this squad. But any deal must hinge on a rare clean bill of health.