FA Cup holders Arsenal have been offered hope in the long-term pursuit of Sami Khedira after Bayern Munich denied they had agreed a pre-contract agreement with the Real Madrid man.
The German midfielder has just eight months to go on his current deal at the Santiago Bernabeu and is able to talk to clubs outside of Spain about a free transfer at the end of the season from January 1.
Reports in the Spanish press over the past couple of days have suggested Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola is keen to add the World Cup winner to his ranks and the club had agreed a pre-contract agreement with the 27-year-old that would see him join the Bavarians in July.
But club spokesman Markus Horwick denied those claims, saying: “There is no truth in the reports.”
Arsenal were strongly linked with a 10-million-euro move for Khedira last summer but an agreement was never reached. Arsene Wenger is believed to still be keen to land his man as the Gunners look to replace the aging Mikel Arteta and Matieu Flamini in the centre of midfield. AC Milan, Chelsea and Manchester City are all thought to be monitoring developments.
Los Blancos are also keen to keep Khedira and boss Carlo Ancelotti has said he wants the midfielder to sit down with the club to discuss a new deal.
