As speculation surrounding the future of reported Everton target Sami Khedira continues to intensify, the latest reports coming out of Italy have handed the Toffees a boost in their potential pursuit of the player.
The 2014 World Cup winner has reportedly rejected an approach from Brazilian outfit Vasco da Gama and has indicated his desire to remain in Europe, according to Vasco sporting director Fabio Cordella in comments made to Calciomercato [va HITC].
Cordella claims that Italian striker Mario Balotelli was ‘very close’ to joining Vasco before opting instead to reunite with former AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi at Italian Serie B outfit Monza.
Khedira’s former Juventus teammate and Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic also supposedly rejected Vasco’s advances, as Cordella explained: “I tried for Mandzukic. I won’t hide it, but he wants to play in Europe. Same goes for Khedira.”
The German midfielder is an unwanted man by Juventus manager Andrea Pirlo, with the club desperate to get his reported £130k-a-week wages off the club’s books.
Ancelotti, who won major trophies with Khedira at Real Madrid, is supposedly keen on a reunion with the midfielder, who has previously indicated his own interest in again linking up with the Italian.
Khedira has so far failed to feature in any capacity for Juve this season and will be a free agent in the summer when his contract expires.
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The grapevine appears to be red-hot with rumours linking Khedira to Merseyside.
If the latest news is true, it is only a further indication that the midfielder feels he has plenty to give in Europe’s top leagues – offering a major boost to Everton’s winter transfer plans.
