Arsenal Transfer News: Sami Khedira Snubs Move, Latest Roberto Firmino Rumours

Arsenal look to have lost out in their pursuit of Sami Khedira after reports emerged the Real Madrid midfielder will sign for Schalke this summer, while Liverpool's interest could scupper a deal for Hoffenheim's Roberto Firmino.

Spanish newspaper Marca (h/t The Independent's Tom Sheen) reports Khedira has agreed a free transfer to the Veltins-Arena, which would rule Arsenal out of any pursuit.

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Despite winning the World Cup with Germany last year, Khedira has slipped down Real Madrid's pecking order amid injury struggles in the past year, and Casemiro's return next season makes a contract extension unlikely.

With his deal set to run out at the end of this campaign, he could make for an extremely valuable pick-up, but Norwegian pundit Jan Aage Fjortoft insists the Gunners previously passed on his prospect:

Arsene Wenger brought in the talents of Polish youngster Krystian Bielik this past winter, but with Mikel Arteta entering his twilight years and Jack Wilshere's fitness a concern, Arsenal may require more immediate reinforcements in defensive midfield.

Schalke defeated Real 4-3 in the second leg of their Champions League round-of-16 meeting earlier this week, and when asked about a move to Gelsenkirchen, Khedira was quoted by Spanish newspaper AS as saying: “Am I open to Schalke? I am open to many teams.”

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A return to the Bundesliga would make a lot of sense for the former Stuttgart star, but Khedira could be a superb acquisition for Wenger given the positional requirements of his squad.

Bundesliga writer Clark Whitney cites Marca's report and agrees that a move to Schalke seems sensible for both parties:

Gunners fans may be disappointed to see such a target evade their grasp, but with Francis Coquelin emerging as a potential star this season, Wenger may not invest in midfield after all.

German newspaper Bild (h/t Metro's Jamie Sanderson) writes Arsenal could also miss out on Firmino's services after Liverpool joined the hunt to lure the Brazilian from his German setting.

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The 23-year-old has featured among Hoffenheim's best players in recent years and enjoyed a breakout campaign last season in which he netted 16 Bundesliga goals.

Arsenal could capture the South American for a relatively modest sum, too, as Bleacher Report's Stefan Bienkowski reveals his astonishment at Firmino's release clause fee:

With a fit and healthy Mesut Ozil back among their ranks, the Gunners are looking as dangerous as ever up front, with the former Real playmaker blossoming alongside Olivier Giroud, Alexis Sanchez and Santi Cazorla.

As such, it may be difficult to envision where in Wenger's setup Firmino could fit were he to arrive. Bayern Munich were also mentioned as a party interested in the attacker, but sporting director Matthias Sammer told Bild (h/t Goal's Stefan Coerts): "Firmino is a great player. But these stories have originated with his agent [Roger Wittmann]. We are not interested in signing Firmino."

Should Firmino's representatives be attempting to engineer a move away for their client, as Sammer suggests, it could be an indicator the versatile forward figure is ready to leave his current setting.

Arsenal would be wise to monitor the situation as Firmino continues his rise as one of Brazil's in-form stars, but Liverpool's summer recruitment pledge could throw a spanner in the works.