Bayer Leverkusen to offer Chelsea midfielder route back to Germany

Bayer Leverkusen have reiterated their interest in Chelsea midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and have admitted they will try to sign him during the January transfer window.

The Belgium international has been urged to secure first-team football ahead of the 2014 World Cup after finding opportunities limited at Stamford Bridge, taking to the field just eight times under Jose Mourinho this term.

De Bruyne impressed on loan at Wolfsburg last year and has a string of admirers in the Bundesliga, including Werder Bremen and Borussia Dortmund.

Bayer Leverkusen, who are currently second in the Bundesliga standings behind Bayern Munich and through to the last 16 of the Champions League, are also on De Bruyne’s trail and will try to prise him away from west London in January.

Their sporting director Rudi Voller told Sky Deutschland: "We have never made any secret of our interest in the player. But we know that there are many clubs interested in him.

"Despite our position in the Bundesliga, we are looking for players to improve us and if possible we will do something in the winter."