Andre Schurrle's move to Chelsea appears closer after Bayer Leverkusen said they believed the Germany striker had agreed to join the Blues.
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The Bundesliga side have also confirmed they are considering a bid for the 22-year-old international.
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"Andre Schurrle has probably signed a pre-contract deal with Chelsea," Bayer general manager Wolfgang Holzhauser told Kicker magazine.
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"We have received a concrete offer for a fee, which we are considering."
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He added: "The price alone is not decisive. We must also have alternatives, which we don't have yet."
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Schurrle is a long-term target for Chelsea, with the west London club having a bid for his services rejected last summer. The former Mainz player has since expressed his regret at the failed switch.
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He has scored 11 goals in 32 league games so far this season for Bayer, who have already secured their spot in the third and final automatic Champions League qualifying place with two matches still to play.
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Schurrle - who is comfortable playing on the wing or in a central striking role - has also excelled for the Germany national team, scoring seven goals in 22 appearances and being included in their Euro 2012 squad.
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Bayer insist they will not sanction the transfer until they have secured a replacement, so their prospects of signing Chelsea midfielder Kevin De Bruyne - currently excelling on loan at Werder Bremen - could be crucial to the transfer going through.