Bayer Leverkusen forward Andre Schurrle close to £20m Chelsea move

According to Sportsmail, Andre Schurrle could be a Chelsea player by the end of the week.

Further talks have taken place between the Premier League club and Bayer Leverkusen over the versatile Germany forward, and a £20million player-exchange deal involving Kevin De Bruyne seems close to being rubber stamped.

'I am waiting for information from either Leverkusen or Chelsea, but there could be some positive news by the end of this weekend,' said Schurrle's representative Ingo Haspel.

'It is an indication of how much Chelsea want the player that they are continuing to negotiate.'

According to Sportsmail, the sticking point appears to be Leverkusen's insistence that De Bruyne joins them, rather than Borussia Dortmund or Schalke, on loan next season.

Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller visited London last week to spell out his demands and make it clear the deal hinged on Chelsea winger De Bruyne falling into line, despite an apparent preference for Dortmund.

Should the deadlock continue, Chelsea may have to wait until the end of next season to complete the capture of Schurrle, who has a contract clause allowing him to leave Leverkusen for €14m in the summer of 2014.