Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly among the Premier League clubs keeping close tabs on Union Berlin midfielder Rani Khedira.
The 29-year-old has been a mainstay of the Union midfield during their unexpected Bundesliga title charge, making 30 appearances across all competitions this term.
Khedira - who is the younger brother of German World Cup winner Sami Khedira - does not have a goal or assist to his name this season, but he has impressed with his tenacious displays in the middle of the park.
As well as starting 20 Bundesliga games, Khedira has played every minute of Union Berlin's Bundesliga campaign and captained the side in both legs of their knockout round playoff win over Ajax.
However, the German's contract with Urs Fischer's side only runs until the end of the season, and he is therefore free to open discussions with foreign clubs over a free transfer.
© Reuters
According to 90Min, a multitude of Premier League clubs sent scouts to watch Khedira in action during Union Berlin's 3-1 success over Ajax on Thursday, including Liverpool and Spurs.
Newcastle United, Leicester City, Everton, Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United also had representatives in attendance to scout Khedira, although Union Berlin have not given up hope of tying him down to a new contract.
A product of the Stuttgart academy, Khedira spent three years with RB Leipzig between 2014 and 2017, posting two assists in 54 appearances before a four-year stint at Augsburg.
Since joining Union Berlin on a free transfer in 2021, the former Germany youth international has set up one goal in 75 appearances for the club, who currently occupy third place in the Bundesliga table.
A new face in the engine room has become more of a pressing matter for Antonio Conte since Rodrigo Bentancur's ACL rupture, which will likely keep him out of action until November.
© Reuters
Yves Bissouma is also out for a lengthy period with an ankle stress fracture, leaving Oliver Skipp and Pape Sarr to battle with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg for midfield starts.
Meanwhile, Liverpool fans have been calling for additions to the engine room for a number of months now, as Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain run down their contracts.
Arthur is also due to return to Juventus at the end of his loan spell, and Reds chiefs could certainly be tempted at the prospect of a cut-price transfer for Khedira as they save their cash reserves for big-name targets.
Having now ruled out a sale, Liverpool's owners Fenway Sports Group have supposedly promised funds for summer transfer business as Liverpool fight tooth and nail to win the race for Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham.
Ben Knapton
