Tunisia and Germany midfielder Rani Khedira of Union Berlin is being linked with a summer move to Bundesliga rivals Mainz. The 32-year-old defensive midfielder, who has been a key figure in Union’s rise in recent seasons, is understood to be on Mainz’s radar as they look to add experience and stability to the centre of their midfield.
Khedira has amassed 287 Bundesliga appearances, underlining a level of top-flight know-how that would immediately strengthen a squad fighting to consolidate its position in Germany’s top tier. Primarily operating in a holding role, he has also contributed 14 league goals and eight assists, and brings extensive minutes at European level from spells in the Europa League, Conference League and Champions League.
Union signed Khedira on a free transfer from Augsburg in July 2021, a move that coincided with the club establishing themselves in the upper half of the Bundesliga and qualifying for European competition. His market value is currently estimated at around €2m, a figure that could make a deal financially accessible for Mainz if Union are prepared to negotiate.
Born in Stuttgart and standing at 1.88m, Khedira offers proven physical presence and positional discipline in front of the back four, attributes that have kept him a regular in the Bundesliga for more than a decade. He remains under contract at Union Berlin, and while talks over his future are yet to lead to a decisive outcome, interest from Mainz has placed his situation firmly under scrutiny as the transfer window progresses.
