ESPN FC’s Shaka Hislop has been left confused by Arsenal’s reported pursuit of Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira.
Speaking on the rumour, the former Premier League shot-stopper could not make an argument for the Gunners to make a move for the World Cup winner, who has struggled with plenty of fitness problems over the past few seasons – missing 29 matches for Juventus in 2018/19, making just 12 starts.
Hislop said on ESPN FC: “I don’t know why you would [take a chance on him]. Even if you could get Khedira for free, what’s he bringing to Arsenal at this point? I think his legs are gone; I don’t think he gives anywhere near enough in midfield. That totally bemuses me – at any price.”
Reports in Italy from Gazzetta Dello Sport (via Metro) claim that Arsenal were willing to sign Khedira as part of a deal to lure defender Daniele Rugani to the Emirates Stadium on a loan deal – though Juventus are thought to value the 25-year-old centre-back as a valuable member of the squad.
Aside from any ulterior motives to make Khedira a Gunner at this late stage in the transfer window, Hislop’s concerns over what the midfielder would add to the Arsenal squad are surely justified in the wake of the recent arrival of Dani Ceballos from Real Madrid, while another alternative centre-midfield option in Joe Willock has recently been integrated into the first team ahead of the new campaign.
Though with Laurent Koscielny potentially heading towards the exit door – which, incidentally, Hislop also tipped to “happen sooner rather than later” – it may be wise for Arsenal to take the bullet of signing Khedira if it meant adding to their defensive ranks ahead of next weekend’s kick-off in the form of Rugani.
Getting Juventus to agree to their demands would be another matter, but it certainly seems as if either way, Khedira may be surplus to requirements whether he stays in Turin or ends up in North London.
