• Premier League

Schurrle's Chelsea move in limbo

ESPN staff
June 5, 2013
Andre Schurrle still wants to join Chelsea, according to his agent © Getty Images
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Andre Schurrle's propose moved to Chelsea could be in jeopardy amid reports in Germany that he could remain at Bayer Leverkusen for another year.

According to German newspaper Die Welt, the failure to resolve the transfer saga involving Kevin de Bruyne, Schurrle, Bayer Leverkusen, Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund means a conclusion currently appears unlikely.

Chelsea are keen to buy Schurrle, 22, from Leverkusen, who in return want to take Kevin de Bruyne, 21, on loan from Stamford Bridge, but the Belgium international would prefer to join Champions League runners-up Dortmund on a permanent deal. It is up to incoming Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho to resolve the situation.

In April, a deal looked in place for a swap between Leverkusen and Chelsea. Both parties had reached an agreement for Germany international Schurrle and De Bruyne. Schurrle was to be sold to Chelsea and in return Leverkusen would take de Bruyne on a year-long loan. But only hours after reaching the agreement, Leverkusen asked for a two-year loan deal and Chelsea refused, Die Welt reports.

Then followed Dortmund's interest after it was revealed that their midfield star Mario Gotze is headed for Bayern Munich in a €37 million transfer this summer.

Late last week, Leverkusen tried to resolve the matter when CEO Wolfgang Holzhauser made public they already had reached an agreement with Chelsea and he hoped Stamford Bridge officials would stick to what has been agreed upon.

Holzhauser also hit out at Borussia Dortmund for making eyes at the Belgium international while Leverkusen general manager Rudi Voller called the club's behaviour "hypocritical".

Dortmund general manager Michael Zorc replied earlier this week, when he told kicker that "de Bruyne only wants to join us". Meanwhile, the Schurrle deal has been in gridlock as Leverkusen do not want to sell the player before they have a replacement lined up.

It is now suggested that Chelsea could withdraw their offer within the next couple of days, according to Die Welt, who also report that the Blues and Leverkusen will meet for further negotiations later this week.

Holzhauser, meanwhile, has had another jibe at Dortmund. "I don't care what Zorc says. They have said a lot. In January they tried to lure our coach Sascha Lewandowski away from us, without talking to us," Holzhauser said.

"They have also lured one of our youth players away from us. And they have taken Sokratis away from us. Everyone in Bundesliga, including Dortmund, knew we had agreed a deal with the player. It is worth considering to find a new definition for Dortmund's conception of the world."

The player's agent, Ingo Haspelt, reiterated: "Andre Schurrle wants to join Chelsea by all means, no doubt about that."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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