While Sami Khedira remains close to returning to the Real Madrid first team after suffering a lengthy spell on the sidelines this season, his ultimate future at the Bernabeu remains in doubt beyond the end of the 2014/15 campaign. The 27-year-old German international, through a mixture of form-related and external circumstances, seemingly hasn’t been able to tie down a guaranteed place in Madrid’s starting XI since first signing for the La Liga giants back in 2010.

He may have made over 100 appearances for Carlo Ancelotti’s current side – but as the combative midfielder has remained the subject of widespread transfer speculation with every passing window – the writing seems to already be on the wall for this former Stuttgart man. A potential move to England, where Khedira has supposedly long been admired since his successful stint at the 2010 World Cup, could therefore prove a promising opportunity for the half-Tunisian/half-German star.

With Schalke reported as the most recent front-runners to land the Real Madrid man however, are the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United ultimately going to miss out on the highly sought after World Cup winner this summer?

When pushed on the subject, current Schalke 04 manager and former Champions League winner with Chelsea, Roberto Di Matteo, has been quick to sing the praises of Ancelotti’s in-demand midfielder;

“Khedira? We all know he’s a great player. If he wants to come, the door is open. He’s a world class player.”

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The former Bundesliga man seemingly could do the business for a number of Europe’s top sides next season then. He possesses an important ability to read the game effectively and make the most of his chances when they arrive. Just ask any Brazilian fan who had the displeasure of seeing the midfielder take apart their side in this summer’s dramatic 7-1 semi-final destruction of the host nation for evidence of the German’s talents.

Khedira displays a distinct intelligence on the ball, plays the box-to-box role better than most on his day, and alongside another midfield maestro in the centre of the park, the current Madrid man can simply boss proceedings with maximum ease. The player’s somewhat bulky stature makes his technical ability all the more impressive, and although he certainly doesn’t ply his trade with the same level of grace as someone of David Silva’s ilk, the determined no. 6 still benefits from putting his foot in and performing the ugly side of the game when the time comes.

At a side as illustrious and as high profile as Real Madrid however – where all the aforementioned abilities are considered no more than basic necessities to make it at the Bernabeu – a player like Sami Khedira was never going to fully take the world by storm. The 27-year-old simply fails to command the spotlight when playing alongside the likes of James Rodriguez, Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Ronaldo, which when all things are considered, shouldn’t take away from what the German international could potentially offer another of Europe’s top sides.

Although both Chelsea and Manchester United have reportedly been after the midfield enforcer in recent months, Arsenal simply remain the Premier League team most in need of Khedira’s services. He may not be the all-out holding midfielder that many among the Emirates faithful have been calling for of late – but as the Real Madrid man would certainly offer Arsene Wenger than bit more steel and power within the heart of Arsenal’s midfield – any move to bring the no. 6 to North London would likely receive a very warm welcome.

The Gunners really don’t need another name to add to their busy treatment room however, so with the German international seemingly failing to keep away from those frustrating niggles and long term injury concerns this season, perhaps Arsenal would be better served by looking elsewhere.

With Schalke nonetheless in strong contention to land the World Cup winner though, it seems that the Premier League is ultimately going to miss out on the signing of Sami Khedira – no matter how important he could have potentially been throughout the course of next season. As nothing remains confirmed at this current stage however, the future remains open for Real Madrid’s talented midfielder enforcer.

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