Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has warned off the Premier League vultures circling around his highly-prized midfielder Sami Khedira, insisting the player is not for sale at any price, according to the Daily Mail.
The 27-year-old has been heavily linked with Arsenal as well as Manchester United and Chelsea, but Ancelotti is adamant Khedira will see out the remainder of his contract at the Bernabau.
The Real Madrid coach said: ‘He’s not leaving, he’s a Real Madrid player. He has a contract until 30 June 2015 and that’s all there is to say.’
Arsenal were close to agreeing a £24m deal for the Germany international but it was understood that his wage demand of £150k was an issue to the Gunners, so the deal fell through.
Khedira was limited to just 18 appearances last season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament but he started the Champions League final in May, which the side won against local rivals Atletico Madrid.
He was fit in time for Germany’s successful World Cup campaign but was injured during the warm-up for the final in Rio de Janeiro, in which the European side emerged champions following their 1-0 defeat of Argentina.
His intermittent form combined with the fact Real Madrid signed his Germany midfield team mate Toni Kroos after the World Cup, led Khedira’s Premier league fanciers to assume he would be surplus to requirements in the Spanish capitol this season.