Bayer Leverkusen's director of sport Rudi Voller has confirmed he has held talks with Chelsea over the transfer of Germany international Andre Schurrle to the Blues.
Voller flew to London yesterday along with Leverkusen's general manager Michael Reschke to negotiate with Chelsea.
Leverkusen turned down a bid believed to be in the region of €25 million for Schurrle last summer, but now appear open to a transfer.
“Yes, I was in London and we have held talks,” said Voller to Germany’s Bild newspaper. “There is nothing more to say. Nothing has yet been decided.”
Part of the negotiations are believed to revolve around the future of Belgian midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, who has caught Leverkusen’s eye while on loan at Bundesliga rivals Werder Bremen this season.
He could join Leverkusen on loan as part of the deal and Voller is understood to be on his way to Brussels to speak with the player’s agent today before a deal with Chelsea can go through.
Schurrle has been on the Blues’ radar for a while, and he has said in the past we would be keen to join the west London club.
After Leverkusen rejected their bid for the 22-year-old last summer, the Germany international told Kicker magazine: “It would have been very interesting. Such an opportunity probably does not come around all that often.”
Schurrle’s contract with Leverkusen still has three years left to run on it and a fee similar to the €25 million touted 12 months ago could still be Leverkusen’s demands for the attacking midfielder, who has appeared 22 times for Germany, scoring seven goals.
