Chelsea set to rival Arsenal for German international midfielder

 Fresh from completing the signing of former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, Jose Mourinho is looking to anger Gunners fans even more by making a move for German ace Sami Khedira.

The Real Madrid star is a reported target for Arsene Wenger as he attempts to add some steel to a side that ended their nine-year wait for a trophy by winning the FA Cup.

The north London club were top of the Premier League for long spells of last season but their title challenge fell away with disastrous away defeats to rivals Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool.

Wenger believes Khedira, who is set to feature for Germany in Brazil after recovering from a knee injurv, can be the defensively-minded midfielder his side is lacking and transform Arsenal into serious Premier League contenders.

But Mourinho and Chelsea have other ideas.

The Portuguese boss is looking to pair Khedira with Nemanja Matic in a formidable looking defensive midfield partnership with Stamford Bridge new boy Fabregas just in front of the duo.

Mourinho brought the 27-year-old to Real Madrid back in 2010 when he was in charge at the Bernabeu and after reigniting his interest in the midfielder Chelsea appear to have leapt to the front of the queue to sign the German international.

After missing most of the last campaign through injury Carlo Ancelotti could be prepared to let Khedira leave Los Blancos with Xavi Alonso, Luka Modric, Asier Illaramendi and Isco all ahead of him in the pecking order,

But they will be looking for a bid in the region of £16m to tempt them to part with a player who has made 91 appearances for the Champions League winners.

The former Stuttgart man is set to feature for Germany as they begin their World Cup campaign against Portugal at the Arena Fonte Nova.

Joachim Low’s side are 19/20 favourites to win their 100^th World Cup match but Khedira and co will need to be at their best if they are to stop Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.

Paulo Bento’s side are 14/5 to beat a side they have lost to in their last three meetings at major tournaments, while the draw is available at 13/5 with Ladbrokes.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.