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Dortmund lead the race for De Bruyne

Kevin de Bruyne has impressed for Werder Bremen © Getty Images

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Kevin de Bruyne and Borussia Dortmund have agreed personal terms on a five-year deal, according to reports in the German media.

Dortmund have also set their sights on Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke and Porto forward Jackson Martinez.

"Race for Kevin de Bruyne," the online outlet of kicker magazine headlined early on Tuesday morning. Over the past few weeks the €15 million-rated Chelsea midfielder has become the subject of a transfer saga including Andre Schurrle, Jose Mourinho, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund.

It appears that Dortmund now lead the race for De Bruyne, a key player for Werder Bremen during their disappointing Bundesliga season.

The reports suggest that De Bruyne and Dortmund have agreed a five-year deal ready to be signed if Chelsea and the outgoing German champions can agree on a transfer fee. However, doubts about the transfer are still being voiced in Germany as it remains unclear what plans the incoming Chelsea manager could have for the Belgium international.

Dortmund general manager Zorc was at Chelsea's Premier League win against Villa on Sunday, where he was also believed to be scouting Benteke as a possible replacement for Robert Lewandowski.

The short trip to Birmingham was followed by a flight to Porto, where he met up with Dortmund CEO Aki Watzke and manager Jurgen Klopp to have a look at Porto striker Martinez, 26. The Colombia international has scored 25 goals in 29 league games and also put his name on the scoresheet three times during Porto's Champions League campaign.

Watzke told Bild: "Apparently we have been seen in Porto. That's true. We need to do our homework and need to take a look at interesting players on the market."

De Bruyne, Benteke and Martinez are not the only names linked to Dortmund this week. Ajax's Christian Eriksen, 21, and Brazilian midfielder Bernard, 20, have also been linked to the Champions League finalists.

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