Stuttgart midfielder Sami Khedira is about to become former-Stuttgart midfielder Sami Khedira, with only a positive physical with Real Madrid standing between the German international's move to the Sanitago Bernabeu.
The 23-year-old central midfielder will move to the Spanish titans, with a €15 million fee agreed between the clubs. Stuttgart announced to move on their web site Friday:
"VfB and Real Madrid have agreed on the midfielder's move to the Spanish capital," the German club said on their website. "As soon as the German international has passed a medical exam, he will put his signature on the contract."
Stuttgart, where Khedira made his professional debut in 2006, said they were sorry to let the 23-year-old go. "One is always extremely unhappy to let go a player who dictates the game and is easily identified with, such as Sami Khedira," said Stuttgart's sporting director, Fredi Bobic. "On the other hand we were able to fulfil Sami's wishes of furthering his career at Real. We wish him all the success with his new challenge."
Khedira is coming-off a breakout season for Stuttgart, winning him a spot in the German national team that made the semifinals of this summer's World Cup. Since making his 2006 debut for Stuttgart, Khedira's made 98 Bundesliga appearances, scoring 14 times. For country, Khedira's made 12 appearances, scoring once.
With the move to Real Madrid, Khedira is expected to assume one of the deep-lying roles most-often occupied by last season by Lassana Diarra and Xabi Alonso. Diarra has been linked with a move away from the club, but even if the French international stays, Mourinho has always sought to have two players for each position to combat the demands of competing in multiple, simultaneous competitions.
With the acquisition of Khedira, Mourinho now has four players to occupy his two, deep, central midfielder positions. Diarra and Alonso are joined by Argentine defensive midfielder Fernando Gago as holdovers from last year's team.
Khedira joined by (more attacking) midfielders Sergio Canales, Pedro León and Ángel de Maria as summer arrivals at Real Madrid, none of whom are over 23-years-old.