Arsenal are reportedly ready to sign German world cup winner Benedikt Howedes after he confirmed leaving the club recently. However Schalke want to keep their captain for the next season.
Arsenal need to fight off interest from fellow Premier League Clubs Manchester United and Tottenham. The 27-year old defender has contract with the Geman club till 2017 but the club’s general manager Horst Heldt confirmed that the player could be on a move this summer.
He said, “It’s not a secret that he could leave by using the release clause added to his contract. He hasn’t made a decision yet, but he will do it as soon as possible. Of course, we would like to keep him.”
Howedes transfer to Arsenal would mean he will join his fellow German team-mates Ozil, Podolski, Mertesacker. The player’s ability to play as a centre defender or a right back will give more depth and quality to the Gunners defense.
Arsenal need to spend £12.6million to activate his release clause. The player have shown his class for Schalke as he made 192 Bundesliga appearances since breaking into first team since 2007 and scored 10 goals over the period.