AC Milan Urged to Derail Arsenal's Hopes of Signing Sami Khedira

Arsenal could face competition from Italian giants AC Milan for the signing of Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira after former player Demetrio Albertini said the Germany World Cup winner would represent a "serious and solid investment".

In the final year of his contract at the Bernabeu, Khedira has been heavily linked with leaving Real following his heroics with the German national team.

Among the clubs reportedly interested in Khedira's services are Arsenal, who have been linked with a January move for the 27-year-old in a deal worth upwards of £15m.

However, Milan are also being urged to move for the ex-Stuttgart player, with Albertini demanding the club rid themselves of their dead wood to make space for Khedira.

"Milan could carry out a series of releases - naturally or immediately, because some big contracts are expiring - so that they could focus all of their economic power on this deal," he told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Khedira would represent a serious and solid investment, capable of resolving most of the structural problems of a team that can and should still be considered a work in progress.

"He's a true champion. Despite still being young, he's experienced and thus able to take on the important responsibilities of every position in midfield."

Having suffered an injury crisis in midfield, with Aaron Ramsey, Mikel Arteta and Mesut Ozil all out, Arsenal could look to secure a deal for Khedira in January in order not to prevent the Germany international moving elsewhere for free next summer.

With German players Lukas Podolski, Per Mertesacker, Ozil, Gedion Zelalem and Serge Gnabry in the Arsenal squad, Khedira would find it an easy task to settle in north London but a series of injury problems makes him a risky signing for manager Arsene Wenger.

Khedira would provide some much-needed experience in the centre of the Gunners' midfield and, according to former Arsenal winger Robert Pires, would represent the long-awaited replacement for Patrick Vieira.

"He reminds me of Patrick Vieira, maybe they have an opportunity with Khedira," the Frenchman said.

"It is likely in the January window. He played very well with Germany. My advice is if he can buy Khedira he can be the Vieira, more aggression in the middle.

"He has a lot of experience. When you play in the middle you need experience, especially when your midfield is young like Arsenal's."