Real Madrid bid €8m for German World Cup star Sami Khedira after giving up on Steven Gerrard
Real Madrid have tabled an €8 million offer for German World Cup midfielder Sami Khedira after giving up on their bid to sign Steven Gerrard from Liverpool, according to Spanish reports.
The Marca said that Khedira's club, Stuttgart, rejected the offer, with the Bundesliga outfit holding out for €15 million.
Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has reportedly been impressed with the 23-year-old, and is particularly attracted by his ability to play both in the centre and on the right of midfield.
The Marca said the player was aware of interest for Madrid and had said he would jump at the chance to play at the Bernabeu.
Stuttgart boss Christian Gross, the former manager of Tottenham, has conceded that with Khedira's contract up in 2011, the club would have to sell the player now rather that risk losing him for nothing next season.
"It is foolish not to think about a transfer when Sami's contract ends in June 2011," he told the German Kicker magazine. "Also, if we want to strengthen with new players we need money. We must consider the option of selling, although it would be a shame to lose him."
Khedira played a huge part in helping Germany to third place in the World Cup, and scored the winner in Saturday's 3rd place playoff match against Uruguay in Port Elizabeth.
Manchester United and Chelsea have also been linked with the midfielder, but Real Madrid appear to be the front-runners in the race for his signature.
Meanwhile, there has been heavy speculation surrounding the future of Liverpool captain Gerrard since the departure of Rafa Benitez.