Arsenal sets Sights on Sami Khedira and Lars Bender
By Opeyemi Oladunjoye
Arsenal are targeting moves for Sami Khedira and Lars Bender following the signing of Barcelona attacker, Alexis Sanchez.
The Gunners unveiled 25-year-old Sanchez on Thursday after the two clubs agreed a transfer fee believed to be in the region of £35 million.
Arsene Wenger is now targeting other players, with Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira his new priority. The 27-year-old is set to be the highest-paid player at the club with a deal worth £150,000-a-week, although the Spanish club’s asking price of £20 million may be deemed too high.
Khedira, who has had an excellent World Cup campaign with Germany and is set to play in Sunday’s Final at the Maracana, has been tipped to depart the Santiago Bernabeu this summer after four years at the club, while Toni Kroos is rumoured to be heading to Spain.
Chelsea are also thought to be in the running as Jose Mourinho is keen to link up with Khedira again after signing him after the 2010 World Cup during his tenure at the La Liga giants, and Arsenal could miss out.
If Arsenal fails to land Khedira, Wenger could move for highly-rated Bayer Leverkusen midfielder, Lars Bender who could be available for around £18 million. He was included in Joachim Löw’s 30-man provisional squad but was ruled out with a thigh injury.
Arsenal placed a bid for the 25-year-old last summer but had it rejected. His salary demands are likely to be half of Khedira’s.