Arsenal Closer to Khedira Deal After Wage Admission – Report

Arsenal are believed to be closer to sealing a deal for Sami Khedira as he drops his wage demands to secure an move from Real Madrid.

Khedira has been on the Gunners' radar for a while now but it was believed that Arsene Wenger was refusing to budge when he asked for £150,000 per week.

It's no secret that at Real Madrid the wages are far higher than at Arsenal but according to Spanish TV Network La Sexta, Khedira has now agreed to lower his pay packet to £134,000 per week in the hopes of securing more game time.

The Gunners are believed to be playing hardball over the World Cup winner and have pinpointed Morgan Schneiderlin as a replacement target should a deal fall through, according to Metro.

With Khedira entering the final 12 months of his deal at Madrid, his options are believed to be getting more limited over a move as Chelsea and Monaco both go cold on a possible pursuit.

Toni Kroos' arrival at Madrid appeared to spell the end for the Khedira, and with the midfielder pushing 28 clubs looking for long-term solutions to their problems in the middle of the park have looked beyond the star.

Lukas Podolski also claimed yesterday that Khedira would love to join Arsenal, telling Bild: "I don't have to try to convince Khedira to join Arsenal.

"Sami knows how much fun he could have with me, Mesut Ozil and Per Mertesacker at Arsenal. We had a great time together at the World Cup and I would like it very much if he comes to London."

Arsenal have been on a signing spree this summer with Wenger looking to have turned a new chapter from the days when he was particularly frugal with the club's money.

Mathieu Debuchy and Alexis Sanchez have both joined for a combined fee of £47m and it looks like the Gunners are not yet finished with their big summer transfer business.