Arsenal were handed an unequivocal `forget it` by the Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti on our hopes of completing the transfer of the Germany international Sami Khedira in the January transfer window. It was thought that the powerful central midfielder was the top transfer of Arsene Wenger but according to a report in the Evening Standard the move is not going to happen.
Not in January anyway, after Ancelotti issued a statement yesterday declaring his intention to continue trying to persuade the 27-year old to renew his contract and stay in La Liga. And Ancelotti also stated that if Khedira did not agree to stay in Madrid, he would not be leaving before next summer.
Madrid’s manager said, “We have until June to reach an agreement with him. If he wants to sign an extension, the club will renew him. If not, he will leave the team at the end of the season.
“Khedira has come back really well, he trained with the squad and he’s ready to play. Of course he’s not in optimal condition after missing the last 40 days, but he’s an important player for us.”
It is possible that Ancelotti is not being entirely honest as sometimes happens in football with potential transfer business. The fact that Khedira is not being used by Madrid gives some support to this theory. The German is fit as he has been on the bench regularly but was snubbed again at the weekend, with Ancelotti bringing on teenage midfielder Alvaro Medran rather than Khedira.
However, assuming that Madrid are digging their heels in, I do not think it is really bad news for Arsenal, as long as Wenger moves his transfer sights a bit closer to home and signs the excellent France international Morgan Schneiderlin from Southampton instead. He is not only as good as Khedira, he is fitter and already fully used to the English Premier League.
Schneiderlin would hit the ground running for the Gunners were we to sign him in January, whereas Khedira might not start to make a difference until the following season. Do you agree that the Frenchman would be the better signing?