Schalke close in on Real Madrid man and reported Chelsea target

Schalke 04 have revealed that they have opened negotiations with Real Madrid midfielder and reported Chelsea target Sami Khedira over a summer switch to Gelsenkirchen.

The Germany World Cup winner has been heavily linked with moves to Arsenal and the Blues in recent months as the race for his signature hots up, with his contract set to expire in June.

Khedira is thought to have retained an affinity for Jose Mourinho – who signed him for Madrid in 2010 – following their three-year spell together in the Spanish capital.

However, it appears that the Bundesliga outfit have stolen a march on the Premier League duo as Schalke chairman Clemens Tonnies reveals that “initial talks” have begun with the midfielder.

“There have been initial talks. We believe that a fit-again Khedira would help us,” Tonnies told Bild.

The 27-year-old has endured an injury-plagued last few years at the Bernabeu and has started just 15 La Liga games since August 2013.