Bayer Leverkusen confirm talks with Chelsea over signing of star forward Andre Schurrle.
Chelsea are closing in on their first signing of the summer transfer window, with Bayer 04 Leverkusen officials in London negotiating a deal to sell their star forward Andre Schurrle.
The Blues have long been linked with a deal for Schurrle, but it appears only now that talks have opened between the clubs.
Former Germany forward and manager Rudi Voeller, now sporting director at Bayer Leverkusen leads the party, bringing with him “Rudi is then traveled along with business manager Michael Reschke on Thursday and from Brussels to London,” said the Bundesliga club’s communications director Meinolf Sprink – as quoted in German publication Focus.
“To derive from this that we are nearing a conclusion, however, is wrong,” added Sprink though.
Whilst that may sound ominous for Chelsea fans, it is fair to say that it is unlikely that Bayer Leverkusen would send high ranking officials to London without there being a high possibility that a deal would go through.
“Yes, I was in London and I have had discussions. There is nothing more to say, it is not decided yet,” added Voeller, seemingly frustrated that the talks were leaked to the press.
Schurrle has been instrumental in Bayer Leverkusen’s rise to third in this season’s Bundesliga.
Playing mostly in a left wing role, he has scored eleven goals and provided six assists so far, and his dribbling and shooting – both from close range and from distance – mark him out as a constant threat.
The 22 year-old tends to play in a similar fashion to former Blue Arjen Robben, cutting inside from the flank to fire at goal, and would offer a more direct threat to the likes of Oscar, Eden Hazard and perhaps Juan Mata.
However, he would not come cheap, with Focus suggesting a deal could cost Chelsea €20 million.
German tabloid Bild instead conclude that Kevin de Bruyne will be sent to Leverkusen in a swap deal, with the Blues paying between €12-€15m to land Schurrle.
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