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Arsenal target Khedira 'won't leave Madrid until June'

ESPN staff
December 29, 2014
Moreno: Arsenal should demand better

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has dismissed claims Arsenal have agreed a deal for Sami Khedira as "rumours" and said the Germany international will remain at the club until at least June 30.

Khedira, whose current contract is set to expire in the summer, has been linked with Arsenal and Bayern Munich in recent months.

The 27-year-old recently told Stuttgarter Nachrichten he would be "very happy" to prolong his stay at the Bernabeu, but Marca has since reported the club had been surprised by the remark, as the player has not communicated any desire to sign an extension to Madrid officials.

Arsenal could look to Carvalho - again

  • Arsenal are ready to renew their interest in Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho and could be preparing to table a £20 million bid for his services, according to widespread reports.
  • Arsene Wenger has long been interested in the powerful midfielder, but saw talks break down in both the summer and Autumn.
  • However, Wenger's hopes to sign the 22-year-old in January appear to have been renewed due to Lisbon's early exit from the Champions League

There have also been claims that Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign the player, but Ancelotti said: "I've heard nothing. They're just rumours. He's our player, at least until June 30."

He added that he has "no doubts about him," saying: "Khedira is a player of Real Madrid and I treat him as such."

Should Khedira depart, his place in the squad may be taken by Brazilian midfielder Lucas Silva.

Real Madrid have made no secret of their desire to sign the player but have so far failed to agree a fee with Cruzeiro, who have set his asking price at €15 million.

Lucas Silva is preparing to return to training with his club on January 7 but has told Globoesporte he could yet make the move next month.

"A lot has been said about me and about Real Madrid's interest," he said, in quotes translated by Marca. "The market in Europe opens in January and from that point on anything could happen.

"What I can say is that nothing has been decided. I'm a Cruzeiro player, I had a really good year and anything could still happen. I've got my aims and objectives. Playing for Real Madrid is a dream and in my thinking it would be a step forward."

He added: "There needs to be an agreement that benefits me and Cruzeiro, but I'm relaxed. I'm playing for a fantastic team and I want to carry on making history."

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