According to Tutto Mercato Web, as cited by Express, Arsenal are the latest club to have joined the pursuit of Sami Khedira. The Juventus midfielder was targeted by Wolverhampton Wanderers this summer, but it seems the Gunners are also keen on securing his services.
Khedira’s struggles at Juventus
Khedira has been a part of the Juventus side since 2015. He arrived in Turin for a free transfer from Real Madrid. However, the former German World Cup winner endured an injury-ravaged spell in the Serie A, having surpassed the 2,000-minute mark only once in the league.
From lack of fitness to a knee injury, Khedira suffered a whopping 27 spells on the sidelines, which is quite astonishing. But, injuries haven’t been the only problem as the 32-year-old also moved below the likes of Miralem Pjanic, Emre Can and Blaise Matuidi in the pecking order, in recent years.
And after the appointment for Maurizio Sarri, followed by the arrival of Aaron Ramsey and Adrien Rabiot, it’s unlikely the German international will have any future at the club. His current contract at the club expires in 2021, but a move away from Turin makes sense for the midfielder.
What can he bring to the table?
Khedira is predominantly a central midfielder, who is versatile enough to feature as a holding midfielder as well. He is capable of instilling more balance to the team and anchoring the midfield with his composed passing and excellent ball-distribution.
The veteran midfielder is also an excellent reader of the ball, allowing him to cut off passing lanes in the middle third of the pitch. He is a born leader and is someone who can motivate and lead his team by examples.
Is Arsenal a viable option for Arsenal?
Arsenal have revamped their midfield unit with the addition of Dani Ceballos on loan from Real Madrid. The Spaniard is being considered as a replacement for the Juventus-bound Ramsey. But, they still lack the services of a bonafide leader in midfield, with Granit Xhaka’s qualities often called into question.
Khedira, to that end, could fit in rather well. He could provide some needed competition to the likes of Lucas Torreira, Matteo Guendouzi and Xhaka. But at the same time, his injury-prone nature coupled with his age, could serve as a deterrent factor in Arsenal’s pursuit of the former Stuttgart midfielder.
Indeed, at the age of 32, Khedira is already in the final phase of his career. And being a star player, he is likely to demand a lucrative wage, which could once again disrupt the club’s financial balance. Hence, the Gunners should drop their pursuit of this Juventus star this summer.
