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Manchester City have stepped up their interest in taking Sami Khedira from Real Madrid next summer in a £30million deal, writes the Sunday People's Tom Hopkinson.

Khedira’s contract at the Bernabeu has 20 months left to run and Real bigwigs are keen not to get into a similar situation to the one they face with Xabi Alonso.

The former Liverpool star is now in the final year of his contract in Madrid and will be able to leave for nothing at the end of the season, with old boss Jose Mourinho keen to take him to Chelsea.

New Real coach Carlo Ancelotti is a huge admirer of Khedira, who has been a key man for the Italian this season, and has urged president Florentino Perez to tie the German international down on a long-term deal.

Perez is also a huge fan of the player and is offering Khedira a further two years with an annual salary of £3m, around £900,000 more than his current agreement, but such is City’s financial clout that they will be able to better what is on offer in Madrid.

Chelsea are also monitoring Khedira’s situation although they have not yet followed up their initial interest.

Khedira, who has won 41 caps for Germany, joined Real Madrid from VfB Stuttgart in 2010.