Arsenal midfield transfer targets head to head

A defensive lynchpin appears to be on Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger’s wish list during this transfer window.

But with two quality players in Sami Khedira and Morgan Schneiderlin to choose from, who should the boss go for?

What’s the latest?

On Khedira:  It is rumoured that Wenger wants the talented Real Madrid and Germany midfielder to join the ranks of an already impressive midfield. Real have been linked with his compatriot Toni Kroos, which could clear a path for a Bernabeu departure, though Chelsea have also been linked with a move for the 27-year-old Khedira. Blues manager Jose Mourinho knows him well from his time as manager of Real and will cost, according to reports, anywhere between £18m and £23m.

On Schneiderlin: The 24-year-old has revealed he has had talks with new Southampton boss Ronald Koeman, but has so far been non-committal on his future at St Mary's. The south coast club are seeing a player exodus at the moment with Dejan Lovren expected to join Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw and Rickie Lambert out of Southampton. France international Schneiderlin appears to be Wenger’s preference if a deal for Khedira falls through.

What would Khedira add?

The Gunners are blessed with attacking talent in the middle and Khedira would add steel, using his defensive nous to great effect. He has played 50 times for Germany and has bags of experience at club level and most recently slotted into the Real team in place of Xabi Alonso for the 2014 Champions League Final win.

What would Schneiderlin add?

An incredible season at Southampton last season ended with Schneiderlin included in France’s World Cup squad. In 33 Premier League games he made an average of 3.4 tackles per game and 2.1 interceptions. He carried this over into the tournament in Brazil when he shielded the French back line superbly and kept a clean sheet against Ecuador in the group stage.

What is being said?

“I began the season on the bench and once again I've been made a scapegoat. They don't value me, even when I play well. I'm not Spanish, I didn't cost a lot and I'm a disciple of Mourinho.”
– Sami Khedira on the Spanish press last October

“He wants me to stay and we’ll see. I don’t know yet. I still have three years left on my contract at Southampton. Nothing has happened, I am going to relax and go on holiday and we will see.”
– Schneiderlin on new Southampton manager Ronald Koeman