Khedira closing in on move to Real Madrid (Roundup)

Jul 29, 2010, 11:09 GMT

Stuttgart - Sami Khedira is moving closer to a transfer to Real Madrid after agreeing terms with the Spanish Liga club, the VfB Stuttgart midfielder's agent confirmed Thursday.

'We have reached an agreement with Real,' Khedira's agent Joerg Neubauer told German Press Agency dpa.

'When the biggest club in the world, managed by the best coach (Jose Mourinho) in the world, comes calling then you have to think seriously about it. That doesn't speak against Stuttgart but for Real.'

New Stuttgart club manager Fredi Bobic told the Bild Zeitung newspaper that the 23-year-old has made clear to his club that he wants to leave.

'Yes, Khedira has made it known to us that he wants to go to Real,' said Bobic. 'Now we have to find a solution. I know that he has Stuttgart in his heart but Real don't call every day.'

Khedira has a contract with Stuttgart until the end of the 2011 season and the southern Germans are reportedly looking for between 12 and 15 million euros (15.6 and 19.5 million dollars) for the German international midfielder.

Stuttgart wouldn't receive a cent if Khedira left in 2011 so a deal is likely to be agreed although Neubauer refused to comment on the likelihood of when this might be.

'As long as Stuttgart and Madrid haven't reached an agreement then we won't comment on the matter. After all, Sami has a contract with Stuttgart until 2011,' said Neubauer.

Khedira impressed at the World Cup in South Africa as Germany finished third without the presence of injured team captain Michael Ballack.

New Real coach Mourinho has admitted he would love to have the player at the Bernabeu this season and the modest transfer fee is not likely to be an obstacle.

'We are in talks with Real but an agreement is not yet in sight,' said VfB sporting director Jochen Schneider in an interview with the Stuttgarter Nachrichten newspaper.

Khedira returned Tuesday evening from his holidays and apparently informed Stuttgart of his decision by phone. Schneider is currently in Norway where Stuttgart face Molde FK in a Europa League qualifying match later Thursday.