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Mertesacker and Ozil tried to persuade Khedira to join Arsenal

World Cup winner Sami Khedira has made four substitute appearances for Real Madrid this year © Getty Images

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Per Mertesacker has confirmed both he and Mesut Ozil spoke to Sami Khedira this summer about the possibility of the Real Madrid midfielder joining Arsenal.

Khedira, 27, was linked with a move to Arsene Wenger's side after winning the 2014 World Cup with Germany in Brazil alongside Mertesacker and Ozil, though a deal failed to materialise.

Reports in Spain suggest Khedira has signed a pre-contract agreement to join Bayern Munich, but Mertesacker is always open to more compatriots joining him in London.

"I'm up for more quality Germans joining the club," he told a Q&A session on Wednesday. "Ozil and I spoke to Khedira a few times about joining Arsenal. His contract is up next summer."

Arsenal legend Robert Pires said back in October that Arsenal can win the Premier League title for the first time since 2003-04 if they sign Khedira in January.

"He [Wenger] needs a big player in the middle - like [Patrick] Vieira, strong, tall - because this position is very important for the balance between attack and defence.

"The quality is there [for Arsenal to challenge], but you need more. Maybe they have an opportunity with Khedira in the January window. He played very well with Germany."

However, Khedira said last week he has no plans to leave the Real Madrid in January, and confirmed his agent is still in talks with the club over a new deal.

"As of now, I see no reason to leave the club in the winter," he said. "Real Madrid are a great destination, and I have locked this club in my heart. There are no grounds for me to say that I want or that I have to leave."

Khedira has made just four La Liga appearances from the bench for Real this season as Carlo Ancelotti's side sit top of the table.

He may be called on in the coming months though as Luka Modric will miss up to four months of action with a thigh injury.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd