Last season’s Europa League winners Chelsea have been linked with Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira all throughout this summer.
Following Chelsea appointing manager Jose Mourinho, formerly of Real Madrid, for his second stint with the London side, a host of Madrid players have been rumoured to be on their way to Stamford Bridge.
However, Khedira is one player Mourinho has been actively looking to sign. The 26-year old has become an effective box-to-box midfielder for the La Liga runners-up.
Last season, the German international made 25 league appearances for Real Madrid, scoring three goals.
Chelsea have emerged the favourites to procure his signature not just because of the Jose Mourinho link, but because of their desperate needs for a quality natural central-midfielder player.
John Obi Mikel has been linked with a move away from the side, and Michael Essien won’t be guaranteed a starting place with his ongoing injury troubles. Mourinho has already revealed Frank Lampard will be used sparingly due to his advancing age, and it’s very unlikely defender David Luiz will play a midfield role under the Portuguese manager.
That leaves the side with Ramires as the only notable central midfielder, but even he’s been used out wide on a number of occasions.
Khedira is a player who can play the holding role in midfield, as well as taking up a more central position in the middle of the park very adeptly.
However, it’s the cost to sign the 26-year old where the deal could fail to materialise. His asking price is said to be around £20M, and Madrid won’t budge from their valuation as they have no real intention of selling him.
Chelsea are expected to test their resolve in the coming weeks of pre-season, but will be meet with a tough ’hands off’ stance from the Madrid camp.
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