Arsenal target Sami Khedira: Schalke boss Roberto Di Matteo opens door to Real Madrid midfielder

Schalke boss Roberto Di Matteo says he would love to have free agent Sami Khedira in his ranks next season but admits the Bundesliga club will face huge competition to sign the Real Madrid star amid reports claiming Arsenal and Chelsea are interested in his services.

The Germany international confirmed earlier in March that he is going to leave the Santiago Bernabeu once his contract with the Champions League winners expires this summer.

"I want to find new challenges for my career and continue to grow as a player," the 27-year-old midfielder said while assuring he was yet to decide his next destination: "I don't have an agreement with any club nor any preferences as to who I would like to join."

Spanish newspaper Marca reported Schalke 04 was the main candidate to secure his services but claimed several Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, and some Serie A sides have also been in touch with his agent to secure his services.

Arsenal were heavily linked with Khedira in summer 2014 to the point some reports in Spain claimed the Gunners agreed terms with Real Madrid but failed to convince the player, who demanded to become one of the highest earner in the squad alongside his friend Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez.

While other reports have also claimed Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho would like to reunite with him at Stamford Bridge following their experience together at the Santiago Bernabeu, Di Matteo has now all but confirmed Schalke will be in the race to secure his services.

"There is not a single coach in the world who would not want to have a player of his calibre in his team. The door is wide open for Khedira," he told Sport1.

But at the same time, the former Chelsea manager concedes his side will struggle to compete with the number of suitors, especially considering Khedira is a free agent.

Di Matteo added: "However, I think he is spoilt for choice when it comes to picking his next destination. It will be very difficult to take him to Schalke."