Arsenal and Chelsea dealt Sami Khedira blow as Luka Modric faces sideline spell

With the Croatian playmaker set for a stint on the sidelines, Carlo Ancelotti is unlikely to
countenance the cut-price January departure of the German World Cup winner

Arsenal and Chelsea have been dealt a blow in their pursuits of Sami Khedira - thanks to former Tottenham star Luka Modric.

The Real Madrid playmaker is expected to be out of action until at least the New Year, after tearing a thigh muscle during Croatia's 1-1 draw with Italy in their Euro 2016 qualifier on Sunday.

However, there are also reports that Modric could be out for up to three or four months, although the European champions said on Monday that they were refusing to place a time-frame on his recovery.

German international Khedira has found himself out of favour at the Santiago Bernabeu in the first four months of the campaign, with Modric and Toni Kroos being used as coach Carlo Ancelotti's preferred midfield pairing.        

Indeed, Khedira has made only six appearances and only once started a match for the side this season.

Both the Gunners and Jose Mourinho's league leaders have been keeping tabs on the former Stuttgart man, whose contract expires next summer.

And both have been linked with possible moves in January.

However, Modric's injury leaves Real with only Khedira and Asier Illarramnedi - himself having struggled with injury in the last few months - as first-team ready replacements.

And even if Ancelotti can bring in another midfielder in January - Cruzeiro youngster Lucas Silva has been watched - he is now unlikely to allow Khedira to leave, despite his contract situation.

Khedira, himself struggling with an ankle knock picked up in Germany's 4-0 win over Gibraltar on Friday, may captain Die Mannschaft in their friendly against Spain on Tuesday night.

Germany boss Joachim Low declared on Monday: "If Sami Khedira can play tomorrow, then he will lead us on the pitch as captain."