Sami Khedira has dealt a blow to Chelsea and Arsenal by signing a pre-contract with Bayern Munich - according to reports in Spain.
Respected radio station Cadena Ser claims the Germany midfielder, who is out of contract at Real Madrid next summer, will return home to play for Bayern.
Both Chelsea and Arsenal, as well as Manchester United, had explored the possibility of signing Khedira last summer, when it became clear he had little desire to extend his stay in Madrid.
Yet if the latest reports are true, it seems Khedira will reject the Premier League to follow the same path as Xabi Alonso, who left Madrid for Bayern last summer.
Khedira was part of the Germany squad who won the World Cup, though he missed the final through injury.
The arrival of his compatriot Toni Kroos at Madrid has restricted Khedira's playing time and he seems to have decided it is the moment to move on.
