Chelsea close in on £20m Schurrle after talks with Leverkusen chief Voller

By John Edwards

PUBLISHED: 17:20 EST, 18 April 2013 | UPDATED: 18:32 EST, 18 April 2013


Andre Schurrle's £20million transfer to Chelsea moved a step closer after Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller flew to London for talks with Stamford Bridge bosses.

‘It was good to meet Chelsea officials, and the discussions went well, but no decision has been made yet,’ said Voller, who was accompanied by his Leverkusen assistant Michel Reschke on Thursday.

Key: Andre Schurrle's Chelsea move could depend on Michael Becker, the man who sealed Ballack's deal

Key: Andre Schurrle's Chelsea move could depend on Michael Becker, the man who sealed Ballack's deal

Makeweight: Kevin de Bruyne (left), on loan at Bremen from Chelsea, could be used as part of the Schurrle deal

Makeweight: Kevin de Bruyne (left), on loan at Bremen from Chelsea, could be used as part of the Schurrle deal

Persuading Chelsea winger Kevin De Bruyne to join Leverkusen on loan, rather than pursue a permanent £15million move to Borussia Dortmund, is one of the key elements to a deal being struck, and Voller and Reschke were flying on to Brussels to meet the 21-year old’s agent.

Meanwhile, Schurrle’s representatives, Ingo Haspel and Dr. Michael Becker, are expected in London on Friday for negotiations with Chelsea about a proposed five-year contract for the Germany forward.

Becker negotiated former Germany skipper Ballack's free transfer from Bayern Munich in 2006 and has emerged as a key figure in Schurrle's proposed £20million move from Bayer Leverkusen.

After impressing on loan at Werder Bremen this season, De Bruyne is in demand in the Bundesliga, with Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund and Schalke all vying for his services.

Dortmund have even indicated a willingness to buy him outright for £15million, but Chelsea are thought to favour Leverkusen's proposal of taking him on loan next season as a temporary replacement for Schurrle.

With De Bruyne aware of Dortmund's intentions, there could yet be some hard bargaining before a deal for Schurrle is concluded to everyone's satisfaction.

Chelsea are in for a shock if they pursue their interest in Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez.

The Bayern target man will figure on Jose Mourinho's wanted list, should the outgoing Real Madrid coach return to Stamford Bridge, and is ready for a fresh start after slipping down the pecking order at the Allianz Arena.

Big-name signing: Becker sealed Michael Ballack's move to Chelsea from Bayern Munich in 2006

Big-name signing: Becker sealed Michael Ballack's move to Chelsea from Bayern Munich in 2006

MICHAEL BALLACK

But while Bayern president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge admitted his position will be reviewed at the end of the season, he was adamant the 27-year old will not be allowed to leave on the cheap.

Chelsea can expect to be quoted at least £20million for a player who cost £30million from Stuttgart four years ago.

Meanwhile, John Terry has tipped David Luiz to be his long-term successor as Chelsea captain. ‘I think so,’ said Terry, when asked if Luiz might inherit the armband one day. ‘Hopefully I have a few years left but he pushes the lads, demanding a lot from himself and others.’

 

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I fail to understand why they buy these top players like De Bruyne and Lukaku and than put them out to grass for a few seasons to get experience....and than the club continues to buy experienced new players like Schurrle,( who dont get me wrong is a cracking player). So when do these younger players get their chance.!!!! to play for Chelsea and show why the club invested in them..Man U does this quite succesfully too. And than we wonder why our younger english talent players hardley get a look in.

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Anyone who thinks he's overrated or mediocre, let alone unknown, has obviously had their head up their backside for the past few years. At 22, he's a regular in the German national team, creates and scores regularly for club and country, and never seems to get injured. I'd say 20m would be a good deal for Chelsea. But I'd bring back Lukaku rather than splash out for Gomez. With a Premier League season under his belt, Romelu, at 19, would be a safer bet than a 27-year-old who can't get a game ahead of Mandzukic.

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Wouldn't it be best to get a manager in first before worrying about transfer targets.

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billy 05 , Peckham,.. He must be overrated if you say so,seeing how many football clubs go to you for advice.

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Going out and buying players, that any potential new manager might not want!

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Waste of money, overrated

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james london. I agree with you. reus is a top class player. I watch the bundesliga alot and he's one of the top performer's week in week out. but this guy is good to though. think he would do well.

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Anyone who thinks he's overrated or mediocre, let alone unknown, has obviously had their head up their backside for the past few years. At 22, he's a regular in the German national team, creates and scores regularly for club and country, and never seems to get injured. I'd say 20m would be a good deal for Chelsea. But I'd bring back Lukaku rather than splash out for Gomez. With a Premier League season under his belt, Romelu, at 19, would be a safer bet than a 27-year-old who can't get a game ahead of Mandzukic.

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He's so gonna get called Shirley

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first of all schurle is a wide midfielder who is EXACTLY the mourinho kind of player, lots of pace, tracks back and dangerous on the counter attack. we have enough creativity, we need to invest in some width and we have done so. now to get a striker and a defender :)

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