Bayer Leverkusen have emerged as the favourites to sign unsettled Chelsea winger Kevin de Bruyne after his agent held talks with the Bundesliga club.
De Bruyne’s representatives are now scheduled to meet Chelsea officials as they attempt to finalise the terms of the Belgian international’s move out of Stamford Bridge.
The former Racing Genk starlet is desperate to play regular first-team football because he fears the prolonged spell he has spent on the sidelines at Chelsea this season has already harmed his World Cup chances.
De Bruyne had a successful season-long loan spell in Germany last season where he scored ten goals in 33 Bundesliga appearances for Werder Bremen.
But the Belgian has appeared in only three Premier League matches under Blues boss Jose Mourinho this season with his last start coming against Manchester United in August, although he has started in all of the club’s Capital One Cup matches.
Bayer Leverkusen were one of four Bundesliga clubs to express an interest in the 22-year-old winger with Schalke, Wolfsburg and Borussia Dortmund all linked while Atletico Madrid were also keen.
Reports in Germany claim that Bayer Leverkusen hope to seal an 18-month loan deal with an option to buy or a straightforward transfer with Chelsea valuing the player at over £15million.
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