Arsenal Transfer News on Sami Khedira Bid and Spurs Lead Loic Remy Chase

Arsene Wenger has been spotted catching some sun on the beach in recent days, but it seems that he is not taking his finger off the pulse as Arsenal continue their pursuit of summer transfer targets.

With strengthening needed in both defensive midfield and attack, the Gunners have been linked with Sami Khedira and Loic Remy.

Here we take a look at the recent news surrounding both players.

Sami Khedira

Wenger is blessed with an array of attacking-midfield options, so the manager is now setting his sights on a player who can give the team a solid central base.

Chris Richards of the Mirror writes that the North London club are preparing a £23 million bid for the Germany international, who is currently on World Cup duty in Brazil.

The 27-year-old has been with Real Madrid for four seasons now, but Wenger believes the player could help get the best from national team-mate Mesut Ozil, per Richards.

The defensive midfielder suffered a serious injury in the past 12 months and has fallen down the pecking order in the Spanish capital.

He managed to feature 18 times for the Champions League winners in La Liga and Europe last campaign, per WhoScored.com, and a starting berth at one of England's top teams would surely appeal to him as he regains full fitness.

Khedira started for Germany in their first two games at the World Cup but was dropped for the final group match against USA after a disappointing showing against Ghana.

This led ESPN's Dermot Corrigan to tweet:

Sami Khedira dropped for Germany. A surprising move, but a good one I reckons.
— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) June 26, 2014

Khedira needs to find his best form to earn trust after his injury, but there is little doubt that he is a quality operator in the centre of the pitch. Arsenal are desperate for a player with his skill set to take some of the pressure off Jack Wilshere, who has had in own share of injury problems.

Khedira would offer Wenger some much-needed balance, and he is perfectly built for life in the Premier League. If the Gunners can get him for the quoted price, he will be one of the bargains of the transfer window. 

Loic Remy

It had been expected that Loic Remy would join Arsenal after the QPR player's loan spell at Newcastle during 2013-14 came to an end.

But David Kent of the Mail Online now reports that Tottenham are preparing to hijack the Gunners as they move for the player.

Kent reports that Spurs’ chief talent spotter Ian Broomfield, who played a major role in bringing Remy to QPR, has recommended that Daniel Levy signs the player.

The 27-year-old striker is at the World Cup with France at present and will be available for around the £8 million mark, per Kent.

Remy had a strong season at St James' Park last year, scoring 14 times in 26 Premier League games, per WhoScored.com.

Arsenal need to add power to their striking pool, something Olivier Giroud recently acknowledged. 

The player said, per Omar Hamouda of Squawka: "I can tell you Arsenal will add a striker to the team. We need another striker. Great clubs have several good strikers, who compete with each other."

Remy would be a shrewd capture for Wenger, who would be adding a talent who can score goals for the team without breaking the bank. Arsenal fans might want to see a bigger name added to the squad, but Remy has Premier League knowledge and is a no-brainer at £8 million.

But Spurs also need a player of his ilk after losing Jermain Defoe, and they might see Remy as vital to their next campaign. But if Wenger truly wants the player, surely the allure of Champions League football would give the Gunners the edge in the race for his signature. 

Source: Bleacher Report

By Rob Blanchette,