Chelsea are ready to break the bank for Borussia Dortmund star Mario Gotze. The Germany international is expected to leave Dortmund at the end of this season - if not sooner - and has Manchester United, Arsenal and Real Madrid all chasing his signature.

However, the Sunday Times says Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas has the backing of owner Roman Abramovich to outbid all rivals for Gotze.

AVB sees Gotze as the player to replace Frank Lampard