Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira is set to join Schalke on a free transfer at the end of the season, after president Clemens Tonnies confirmed talks.
The 27-year-old has been linked with a summer move to Premier League sides Arsenal and Chelsea and almost joined the former in the January transfer window before wage demands scuppered a deal.
The German midfielder has struggled for fitness this season and has failed to break into Carlo Ancelotti’s starting eleven.
Links to England and Italian clubs AC Milan and Juventus have since softened with the World Cup winner keen to make a return to his native Germany.
Bayern Munich had been linked but it is now Schalke, who are believed to be closing in on a summer move.
Khedira is free to talk to other clubs as a result of his expiring contract and Roberto Di Matteo’s side are now in discussion over the final details on a contract with Tonnies saying: “Yes, we’ve had the first few discussions. When he is at full strength, I think Khedira can be a great help to us in the future.
“If a World Cup winner like Khedira is out of contract in June, you have to consider it, there’s no doubt about that but as you can imagine, there are several clubs after him.”