Stuttgart deny Real contact for Khedira

(GSM) – Stuttgart rubbished reports that the Gelsenkirchen club have received an €8 million bid from Real Madrid for midfielder Sami Khedira.

Khedira, who impressed in Germany’s run to the World Cup semi-finals, has been linked with a move to the Spanish giants.

But club director Jochen Schneider has denied any offer being made by the Madrid giants.

“We have no offer. That is based only on speculation in Spanish sport newspapers,” Schneider told Bild. “And after his holiday we will sit down together and see whether we can extend his contract beyond 2011.”

Spanish daily Marca reported that Real had identified Khedira as a secondary target after giving up on Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, had already tabled an opening bid and would be willing to go up to €15 million.

Although no bid has been made, Stuttgart boss Christian Gross has conceded that with Khedira’s contract up in 2011, the club may have to sell the German international now rather than 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 Kicker. “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.”