‘A January exit will certainly not happen’: Everton dealt blow in their pursuit

On Nov 30, 2020

Everton are dealt a blow in their bid to sign Sami Khedira as the Juventus midfielder claims a January exit will ‘certainly not happen’… but insists he is a ‘big fan of the Premier League’ with his contract expiring next summer

Midfielder Sami Khedira has not played a single game this season for Juventus
The 33-year-old has insisted he will honour his contract which ends in June 2021
His comments come as a blow to Everton, who hoped to sign German in January

Published: 08:55 EST, 29 November 2020 | Updated: 09:13 EST, 29 November 2020

Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira has insisted he will not leave in the January transfer window, despite being frozen out at the club.

Khedira has not made a single appearance this season under new manager Andrea Pirlo, with summer signing Arthur Melo, Aaron Ramsey, Adrien Rabiot and Rodrigo Bentancur preferred in central midfield.

Tottenham Hotspur and Everton have been linked with a transfer for Khedira, potentially reuniting the German with Jose Mourinho or Carlo Ancelotti, both of whom managed him at Real Madrid.

Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira says he will stay in Turin until at least the end of the season

The news will come as a blow to Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti, who had targeted Khedira

But the 33-year-old, one of the highest paid in the Juventus squad, said he would honour his contract and stay at least until the end of the campaign, when his current deal expires.

He told German TV channel ZDF: ‘When I leave, I want the Juve fans to remember me as a great player. The current situation is not because of Andrea Pirlo, and I am not angry about it. I understand the way he wants to play football.

‘A January exit will certainly not happen. I aim to respect my contract to the summer of 2021.

Ancelotti managed the German international during his time at Real Madrid from 2013 to 2015

However, the 33-year-old has recently admitted he wants to test himself in the Premier League

‘If the opportunity arises, the Premier League could be an option. I am a big fan of the Premier League.

‘There is dialogue with (Everton manager Carlo) Ancelotti and (Tottenham boss Jose) Mourinho, as we never really lost contact after our time together at Real Madrid.’

The 77-cap international Khedira has openly spoken about his desire to play in the Premier League and test himself in English football.

Juventus manager Andrea Pirlo could see Khedira leave when his contract expires in June 2021

Sportsmail reported on Thursday that Everton were leading the chase for Khedira, but it appears the Toffees will have to temporarily shelve their transfer plans for the World Cup winner.

Bianconeri boss Pirlo has started well and his side is unbeaten in Serie A after nine games, with five draws and four wins.

The Italian champions are three points off league leaders AC Milan, who have a game in hand and play Fiorentina on Sunday afternoon.

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