Chelsea fail with massive forward bid

Leverkusen hold on to Andre Schurrle

By Zain Alvi | 9th July 2012

Bayer Leverkusen have confirmed turning down a bid in excess of €20 million from Chelsea for the services of acclaimed winger-forward Andre Schurrle.

Schurrle, 21, scored nine goals across 40 total appearances for the Bundesliga outfit last season and was consequently chosen to represent Germany during this summer’s Euro 2012 tournament.

The Blues, who have reportedly been interested in the player for months now, made an official bid to acquire the versatile youngster but after a thorough discussion, an agreement could not be reached between the two clubs.

“We were presented with a very concrete offer from Chelsea for Andre of beyond the €20 million mark. The sum was pushed back and forth between the two clubs, but we eventually opted to hold on to Andre,” Bayer Leverkusen CEO Wolfgang Holzhauser explained.

Elaborating that the player’s personal desire was also taken into account when making the decision, Holzhauser added: “Andre is very valuable for us on the pitch. He has also made it very clear that he is happy to stay with us.”

Last year, Schurrle’s Germany teammate Thomas Muller confirmed that he turned down an approach from Chelsea earlier in his career.

There were no such issues for former Werder Bremen starlet Marko Marin, though, who became one of the Blues’ major signings this summer along with Belgium international Eden Hazard.