Wolfsburg's Kevin De Bruyne open to Chelsea return - sources

Posted Saturday, March 28, 2015 by ESPN

The Belgium international has scored nine goals and set up another 16 in 26 Bundesliga appearances this season.

Kevin De Bruyne would consider a move back to Chelsea despite barely featuring in his time at Stamford Bridge, sources told ESPN FC.

The in-demand Belgium midfielder's immediate future probably rests on whether Wolfsburg qualify for the Champions League, but he would be open to the possibility of a second spell in London.

Manchester United and Manchester City are also interested in the 23-year-old, who is the most creative player in the major European leagues with 24 assists already this season, and both would appeal as possible destinations if he were to leave Wolfsburg.

The former Genk player was only granted three Premier League appearances during his stint at Stamford Bridge, which ended with a move in January 2014, but he left Chelsea on good terms and has not ruled out a return.

De Bruyne's representatives have said that the former Werder Bremen player will not be at Wolfsburg forever in the unlikely event of them failing to finish in the top four in the Bundesliga or win the Europa League, their two possible routes into the Champions League, he would be likelier to leave the club in the summer.

Wolfsburg are currently second in the Bundesliga and will face Napoli in the last eight of the Europa League but if they fail on both fronts, De Bruyne will probably leave the Volkswagen Arena.

De Bruyne, who has also scored 14 goals this season, wants his next club to have the footballing might and financial power to participate in the Champions League and compete for trophies, which includes both Manchester clubs and Chelsea.

De Bruyne's Belgium teammates Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois are in the Chelsea squad, and the former said this week he believes the Wolfsburg man is good enough to play for Jose Mourinho's team.

Chelsea did not include a clause giving them the first option to re-sign De Bruyne when they sold him 14 months ago.

Wolfsburg paid £18 million for De Bruyne, but his swift progress in their colours means he is now valued at around £50 million.

However, his immediate focus is on helping Dieter Hecking's side complete their promising season successfully, rather than angling for a move.