Real Madrid midfielder and reported Chelsea target Sami Khedira has confirmed that he will be leaving the club this summer.
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.
And the 27-year-old has announced that he will not be staying at the club beyond the summer, telling Kicker: “It’s nothing against Real, but I just want a new challenge and to keep improving myself.”
Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer has previously warned his reported suitors against swooping for Khedira, claiming that repetitive injuries had their toll on the box-to-box midfielder’s game.