Borussia Dortmund are close to agreeing a deal to sign Kevin de Bruyne from Chelsea.
Negotiations between the two clubs have advanced and it is believed De Bruyne (above) has already agreed a five-year contract in principal to move to the Bundesliga club.
The delay is being caused over the terms of sale, with Chelsea hoping to use the playmaker’s departure as part of their bid to beat Bayern Munich to the signing of Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski.
If they fail to get an option to buy Lewandowski, who scored four goals against Real Madrid in their Champions League semi-final, they will want to double the money they paid for him last year or not sell at all.
De Bruyne, who joined Chelsea from Genk for £7million in January 2012, has never played a game for the first team.
The Belgium international was immediately sent back to Genk on loan last season and has spent the present campaign at Bundesliga club Werder Bremen.
His performances have impressed Dortmund officials, who will have money to spend when Mario Goetze joins Bayern for £32m after the Champions League Final at Wembley later this month.
Dortmund are also looking at the possibility of joining the race to sign Tottenham targets Christian Eriksen, of Ajax, and Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke.
Meanwhile, Chelsea were beaten 3-2 by Norwich in the second leg of the FA Youth Cup Final at Stamford Bridge last night in front of 17,626.
Goals from Cameron McGeehan, a former Chelsea player, and Josh Murphy, plus a Adam Nditi own goal, proved enough on the night despite Jeremie Boga’s double for the hosts.
It was Chelsea’s fourth final — and second final defeat — in six years.
